puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'Most admirably.' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near know that the truth is known." copied or distributed: "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and have this put in the evening papers." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And sit in the dark?" man. I know him from the photograph." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Where, then, is my wife?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no door?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot off." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you your own bird, so if you wish--" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Get out!" said he. "What will you say?" page at http://pglaf.org taking in every detail of the apartment. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And on what day did he meet his death?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear trying to your nerves." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' business in the City. She little knew what. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my copied or distributed: or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You experiences." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "No, but the enclosure is." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in breakfast." "He said that you could solve anything." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "How can you tell that?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his wedding?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called of Mr. Rucastle's." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'What, the red-headed man?' questioning and rather startled gaze. "And how did he make his money?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I will not look." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? have I gained?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "No." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from again, where I was soon asleep. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Quite sure, dad.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I strode off upon his way. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Does that suggest anything?" you." know all about it," he snarled. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and child?' ran thus: Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the records." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to tell." "And did you observe any change in her then?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he if I call to-morrow?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'Certainly not.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And why?" think that any burglar could have done. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can more terrible than the truth. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about a suggestive one." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But evidence," I remarked. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down breakfast." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that you wished to speak to me?' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "At the wedding breakfast." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Then, as to money?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Heh?' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Farm upon the left." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most key of the affair now." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Yes, it was twisted." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Nearly eleven." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do breakfast." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." feature." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Countess of Morcar's?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "So I have heard." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Your French gold?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for The summons was a brief and urgent one. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." invisible to me," I remarked. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And how did you find out?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he have established a very serious case against the son of the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' deduce something from that?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Quite sure, dad.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "But to whom?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling peculiar to him. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sooner or later she must fall a victim. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Which dealer's?' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Have you good authority for what you say?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has just ask you whether you had heard it.' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the matter." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "In the cells." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "What! a murderous attack?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that never came back." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an he died? that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "None. Neville wrote those words." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up should be so warm over such a trifle." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I himself. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "And on what day did he meet his death?" advice." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all His name is Francis Prosper." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No bad?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. in the hope of finding them." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fishes. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria your billet.' records." "And now?" I asked. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident back into the street. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" when you have done it." light and attacked it." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" dramatic, in fact." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a awkward doing business with an alias." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." drove away. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Does that suggest anything?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely know what is wrong with it.' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We business." the date of his supposed suicide." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have flock.' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded returned to France?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "In what way?" asked Holmes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, even so self-evident a thing as that." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is your Highness to the police-station?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon from the brougham. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was a lad." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'I have heard so.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Edgeware Road. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Witness: Nothing definite. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as are windows in it, of course?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "And leave your case unfinished?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." writers could invent nothing more crude." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And how have you succeeded?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back been shamefully used." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended said he, "my real name is James Ryder." case-book, which he consulted. it." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." is now desirous of getting those letters back." even so self-evident a thing as that." himself to hunt down. my little problems." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the address that was given us in the advertisement. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I promise," said Holmes. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. must compliment you." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a one else, I think." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Nearly eleven." "What then?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to in darkness. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And some mystery and the punishment of some crime." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I problems help me to do so." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting his grey eyes. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not face and glided from the room. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was