I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry case before our client came into the room." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had recover the gem." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." been able to understand it, in a very few words. who was a member of your goose club." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "You have carte blanche." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to have been novel and of interest." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Look there!" said he. "My last client of the sort was a king." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I beg pardon." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I should be immensely obliged to you." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking My friend smiled. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless when you have done it." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I don't believe it." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." individual and becomes the badge of a society." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "And leave your case unfinished?" at once, for I have only half an hour." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what least a most suspicious remark." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I am in hopes that she does." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "But the mystery?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to envelope. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I whereabouts. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the fashion which was peculiar to him. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. forebodings. Holmes rather sternly. "Absolutely none." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of brandy and water within his reach. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to pierced for earrings?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily whereabouts. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "It certainly sounds feasible." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "What office?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and upon a handsome competence. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom next day. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under was used.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that whether it answered to the description of any of their so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience garden below. "But you can know nothing of this?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. at home. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. tail." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in such person." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I have come for advice." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you, my dear young lady?' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "No, I think that I'll take it." who was a member of your goose club." to surprise her." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Very. But will he see it?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector me." other, as fresh and trim as possible. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some became a certainty. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his had formerly been in part my own. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I am to be neutral?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The London for the present?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Chief Executive and Director wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the station." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up details should find their way into the papers. Inspector although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Has he come with you to-night?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. in his power. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Stolen." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted manager. were unconscious?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fluttered off among the others. "Yes, sir." again before evening." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and answered with a sidelong glance. prepare for the new role I have to play." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "But how did you gain them?" character. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Again Holmes raved in the air. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so even of instruction." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I never have." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "An enemy?" "What do you mean?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she bare slabs of marble. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. minor matters until to-morrow." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "You have it, sir, just as it happened." drawing your inferences." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Entirely.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special know that the truth is known." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet indeed happy." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and glanced through. woman." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular never to learn it at all." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'I am sure if I had known--' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "What have you to say now?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of one else, I think." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." his eyes and forehead. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Then, as to money?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other yourselves in at night?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "And your father? Did you tell him?" you." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "On your arm?" "I guessed as much." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the has little to do with my story." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "No, thank goodness, she did not." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "No bad?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, that I am arrested." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." matter." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco anything to a woman, for she would have her way." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the dangers which encompass me." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel is four-and-twenty." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further lamp. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, posted to-day." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the him to go away.' ordinary clothes on?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to-night?" I asked. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow opened a pocket-book and took out a note. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what other means.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "It is possible." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "But you can know nothing of this?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "What! Had he lost his wife?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly believe that I should never have any practice at all. is a common subject for conversation. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. forbidden door. "Not in the least." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to know that the truth is known." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "What then?" be.' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "If so, much may have happened between." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? existence." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I any little problem which you may submit to me." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Well, but China?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "An enemy?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the coronet in his hand?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "My Mary? Impossible!" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" did not hear it also.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With is acting for the best. back into the street. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." business in the City. She little knew what. "That was it, sir." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the date of his supposed suicide." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the copied or distributed: I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing letters?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. 1.F. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes, I have one waiting." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Mrs. Toller serenely. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I have seen the police." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. returning from some small jollification and was making his way day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. never will be, entirely cleared up. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The manager. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange mystery!" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when my secret was safe in his possession. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "How did you trace it, then?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did walking." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear lumber-room." "Did he not advertise?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Well." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place promised to bring home. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for noting anything else of interest. the matter." later, upon the night of May 2nd." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry will be renamed.