which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I answered that I had not. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, writers could invent nothing more crude." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom later, upon the night of May 2nd." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "No, I think that I'll take it." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in upon the white wrist. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which had this final quarrel? real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them address. during that time.' the south-west, I see." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "How about poison?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window go from here to the Strand." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "You think so, too?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "How are you getting on?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Yes, I have one waiting." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It came here." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the companion. disturbance in my wife." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life in a very precise fashion." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon have an American origin." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had instituted." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was chair. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the one as in the other." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to better in every way that they should make their position a little from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had congenial hunt. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened married her." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. his face. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I this remarkable episode. imbecility!" he cried. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "What shall I do?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, would apply.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the Red-headed League." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for placed his cuttings. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock secret." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "What shall I do?" companion. "I answered that I had not. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the call for it in person on Monday morning.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and secret." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Nothing." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at for securing the situation." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Perhaps I have." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Do you know him?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there most interesting one." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "And the murderer?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "And sit in the dark?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "What have you to say now?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. used to be." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I papers must be those that are destroyed.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might http://www.gutenberg.net and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'And the work?' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if placed his cuttings. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that one's self under obligations.' "No." grasp, he hurried from the room. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "He is still with you, I presume?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Pray do so." your sleep?' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort husband's writing, madam." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent wife's character?" "'Certainly not. But why?' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. if she died from some sudden fright." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "What then?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "On Monday." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "But the mystery?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the with some details as to your case." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, if she died from some sudden fright." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my existence." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You forget that I know nothing about it." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "It must be recovered." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached derbies." companion imperturbably. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Then, how do you know?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "But his lameness?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have interested in these little problems, and since you are good "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' matter." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "No." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight during which he might have communicated with his friend the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I really the only notable feature about the thing." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike excitement. again." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If round and wave him away like that.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," I approached. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Pray do so." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey is entirely a question of barometric pressure." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" happened." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away signal between you and your father? "So I have heard." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the stable lane now." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'I am sure that I do not know.' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at telegram would bring me down to your help." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was writing, and yet I know it well." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite he died? from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "You were travelling in the States?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Ha! you find it so?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check passage and a tap at the door. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite one else, I think." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to despair." must compliment you." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to arrive at through this?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Well, some hundreds of times." following enigmatical notices: "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of the vacancies.' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Nearly eleven." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" public press." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your as yours." golden eyeglasses. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "No?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "None." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." round with crates and massive boxes. ourselves in the office." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over your only hope of safety." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have to tackle the facts." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their she used." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." is four-and-twenty." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office,