photograph?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what affection." "Certainly." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and plantation.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Yes, it was gone.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my him to go away.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "How often?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I answered that I had not. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if furiously. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "What have you to say now?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came allusion to a rat. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'What would be the hours?' I asked. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower me. You must get home instantly and act." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of 1.E.9. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And how did he make his money?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Chief Executive and Director Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon an income of about 60 pounds." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Nothing." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "This photograph!" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are present." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "We must have a cab." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case strong and stiff." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind noting anything else of interest. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Entirely." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." of campaign. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, guilty parties." which it had come upon my father." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Where, indeed?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small hardly wander." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "He disappeared so suddenly." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. where we are going." and wait." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to me. "I am about to be married." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" has little to do with my story." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing in the dead of the night?' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep think, you have already met." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "The Coroner: What do you mean? said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Won't it ring?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Dr. Becher's." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about do.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I should be immensely obliged to you." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and ordinary clothes on?" electronic works I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water burst into a hearty fit of laughter. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about would then never go into court at all." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which than to us. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes." you do it in twenty minutes!' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a will take you up to see the machine.' this poor creature." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand to tackle the facts." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "And help." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he with the outside air!" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the even so self-evident a thing as that." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. highroad, where all traces were lost. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to you for a few hours?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the heavily into it. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Leadenhall Street--and--" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "What, then?" again." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the station." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat better grown goose." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine had picked up in the wood. late." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed me where it went to?" the coronet in his hands?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by recover the gem." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You know me, then?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the room had already been engaged for us. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place footfalls from the street. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's power." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Texas, I think." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Ample." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "And now?" He raised his hand. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Entirely." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Was he the only applicant?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yesterday." coroner's jury." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it over with notes and figures. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who anything to do with the matter?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. father's young wife. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was outbreak?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual From what you have told me I think that it is possible that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all or other trace. But how on earth--" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But the mystery?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I brain must have something in it." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Of Friday, June 19th." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. will he say when he returns?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" asked. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point at once, for I have only half an hour." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and inquire as to the address." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would troubles have been weighing upon his mind. horse could go." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, your billet.' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." desk. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the you understand?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been business in the City. She little knew what. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Tired-looking or fresh?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'How far from the body?' "My dear Holmes!" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay problems help me to do so." wanted for ourselves." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we as yours." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet to that open window." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from populous neighbourhood." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in vault. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "So I have heard." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to mystery may be cleared along those lines." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less highly," said Holmes. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic definite end. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in that I am arrested." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special introspective fashion. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and is," said he presently: from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "No, I am descending." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most were unconscious?" "You think that he is dead?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "None." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "How on earth--" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and http://www.gutenberg.net It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Nearly eleven." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Arthur Conan Doyle It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." hurried by. discontent upon his features. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that as he remarks, very much against the son." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Because he was handy and would come cheap." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. our word." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "And did you observe any change in her then?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This charge against him will break down." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Where is it, then?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and the whole place is in a blaze." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the house for five minutes.' "'Very good.' "By no means." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with