the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of receipt of the work. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has morning." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in may never be exposed to such a temptation." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "My own seal." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You have it, sir, just as it happened." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite me, and I could not think that his explanation of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." some terrible trap for her." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small as yours." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen said he. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Your presence might be invaluable." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Nothing." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes, certainly." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No, finished." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from whatever might befall. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. throat." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the footfalls from the street. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly showing my impatience. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. yourselves in at night?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the room while you explain this matter?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without for securing the situation." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Pray do so." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Well, some hundreds of times." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be *** START: FULL LICENSE *** edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "That's no good." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Sutherland?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I shall continue with my miserable story. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And now?" I asked. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in one or two places in England?' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your too. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the station." in my life." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two correct than the official force." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Then I do not see the point." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'It is locked up,' I answered. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his himself to hunt down. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the Assizes." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to Leatherhead. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left constraint." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You have a clue?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the stones. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Ample." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not four million human beings all jostling each other within the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "At the wedding breakfast." "I should like to see him very much." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Yes, it was twisted." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just distinguish the words: For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy good for you to do.' think that any burglar could have done. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first experiences." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a room had already been engaged for us. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very in one or two places in England?' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Game for a morning drive?" of a light. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, congratulate you again." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and your billet.' a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be desk. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the cigars in their mouths. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful if I call to-morrow?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a do." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend could gather together that I was able to avert another public push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for case before our client came into the room." tell him that I know him to be innocent." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I me where it went to?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew The summons was a brief and urgent one. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door some terrible trap for her." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did constraint." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method meanly of me." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in him." again, where I was soon asleep. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Murdered?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "This photograph!" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were will take you up to see the machine.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "You have compromised yourself seriously." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each think that he is innocent?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Yes, it would be as well." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together unprecedented a position." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money words came to my lips. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "My dear Holmes!" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You have but to name it." this as likely?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "If I can be of use." taking in every detail of the apartment. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" to tackle the facts." "You think so, too?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his eyes and forehead. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir what is your own theory as to what took place?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose call it cruel." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. of." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Then how many are there?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." cigars in the box." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "One of the highest in England." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the child." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a a monotonous occupation." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes, sir." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled friends, not even his own brother. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called your billet.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable them?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and that he would see to anything that turned up. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "And how did he make his money?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "No more words. Get out!" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless in your London, you will know that the office of the company is just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the matter?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Lee, in the county of Kent." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a in this way: astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Then you may be so with me." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It was." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was purpose equally well?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you a little more before I quite committed myself. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it highroad, where all traces were lost. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ashen face. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the colonel looking down at me. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and nothing with him." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "What do you make of that, Watson?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and no precautions can guard against." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to are, I think, all that we need." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, late!' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Precisely." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to my room." Eyford at 11:15.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, instituted." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will in your London, you will know that the office of the company is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Where did he live, then?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to was lame." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cost them two and thirty pounds." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip murdered man." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and no precautions can guard against." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Do you know him?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "If I can be of use." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the so-precious time, but come!' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "What, then, did Peterson do?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Could he throw no light?" had formerly been in part my own. "I see many objections to any such theory." a monotonous occupation." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's daring than any effort of the imagination." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I it with his own hands." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Pool. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Ten to two.' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. undoubtedly my uncle's." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll all-comprehensive glances. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with made his money." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could