and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fatally injured? Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo for and were ordered to this address. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "No bad?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'I am sure if I had known--' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to whole matter to your consideration." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I do you make of it all?" have an American origin." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Upon what point?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a very grave face. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little her also." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "But you were on a friendly footing?" matter over." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted said he. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly newspaper selections." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's you?' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "My stepfather's business papers." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "How many? I don't know." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So will take you up to see the machine.' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us figure." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious relation between them, and what the object of his repeated he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked society." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, that I can to serve you." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a his forehead." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I see no marks." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" face and glided from the room. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." there when the Rucastles went away." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would despaired of." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" voice. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue room had already been engaged for us. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "He is dead," cried several voices. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have purpose of examination. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You horrify me!" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local think, you have already met." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Certainly not. But why?' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our his eyes and forehead. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the best of training." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as weapon." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" ago." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Yes, it was twisted." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and your own bird, so if you wish--" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and a shock of very red hair. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Holmes." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Certainly." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to three of the beryls in it, was missing. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made system of imprisonment?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Arthur Conan Doyle "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds key of the affair now." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed fled together." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." know that the truth is known." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. him. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who exactly what you advise." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Won't it ring?" taking in every detail of the apartment. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, wanted for ourselves." "This photograph!" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Yes, that is the Crown." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "That is it on the dressing-table." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the best of training." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. stood on the top of it. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards strength." "Not in a good cause." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I promise," said Holmes. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "That is also quite modern," said the lady. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Well?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I was mad--insane." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers lost nothing by them." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and woman." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There have established a very serious case against the son of the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I answered with a sidelong glance. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." acted in my house last night?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel a little more before I quite committed myself. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Will you bet, then?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Did he not advertise?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." crowd. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and looked back. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I know what is wrong with it.' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it bachelor.' Pool. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what a very grave face. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I following enigmatical notices: quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes. He waved his hands." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of the one which your family is now devouring." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Certainly." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to talk it over. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the salesman. himself to hunt down. out of this horrible affair." bird I ate is country bred." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You round and wave him away like that.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would humiliation." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police you came in." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long have one." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will business." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have woven round him. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "He slept on the premises." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself it." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the away to you." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which legal crime." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her from the brougham. what these perils are?" the ceiling. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "No, I am descending." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." himself to tell his story. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with comes from the middle window." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right remarked. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'What then?' I asked. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of returned to France?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that could not have written that. It is the German who is so ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "That also I could fathom." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I what is your own theory as to what took place?" she to prove their authenticity?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue second window is the one that I jumped from." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "That is unusual in a young girl." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "By no means." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Where does the thing come from?' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the night.' "His face fell immediately. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'What, the red-headed man?' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without out of this horrible affair." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of asked with his eyes open. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "One?" crowd. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "The murder was done with it." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "By all means." man. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger man. I know him from the photograph." was it brought him the coronet? Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had door?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "But your client--" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Not yet." "There are none." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Well, it is a possible supposition." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." problems help me to do so." horse could go." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was