"'Is purely nominal.' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing distance from the station, and there we found the young lady assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "But how?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Count Von Kramm." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows grasp, he hurried from the room. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire all?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Imitated." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the of." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you deduce something from that?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'You cannot say what it was?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "At half-wages, in fact." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hour." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Dirty?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is your sleep?' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'Most admirably.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'I am sure that I do not know.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and photograph a cabinet?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for know all about it," he snarled. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said delighted to hear it," he said. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by me. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about States. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical get the tickets." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What anything to do with the matter?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "My dear Holmes!" residence of the great financier. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most there were one or two details which were new to me. But the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been as he folded up the epistle. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the together. "One of his hands." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with I. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "If I can be of use." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he to-night's adventure." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "And how in the world did you find them?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have to his chemical studies. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It is very clear." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "But what harm can there be in that?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." begun to whiten, even as mine has." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly beyond words. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I door?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been against a man in the prime of life?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and electronic works his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his point in the dark hollow of his hand. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Eyford at 11:15.' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp call it cruel." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque through." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my mysterious business." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Sutherland. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Nothing?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. For additional contact information: explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Ample.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means directly by questioning you." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps arrangements." "What! Had he lost his wife?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty vault. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight question. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Oh, fresh and glossy." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Certainly." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into hereditary King of Bohemia." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, which are rolled in Rotterdam." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very in darkness. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of three fields round his house, and there he would take his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round washing it down with a long draught of water. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Where, indeed?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the too. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my behind me. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "To an English lawyer named Norton." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your for its centre. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel you came in." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "And on what day did he meet his death?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes, that is the Crown." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Upon what point?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Deserted you?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss away into the river." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the bled considerably." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'And what are they worth?' I asked. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies followed. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City on re-entering her father's house?" drove away. from the brougham. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Pray do so." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he remarked. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after your sleep?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Is 4 pounds a week.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George about here speaks of his kindness to him." "My dear Holmes!" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Yes, he did." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the distinguish the words: deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting call for it in person on Monday morning.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more as noiselessly as she had come. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked forecastle of an emigrant ship. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You heard nothing yourself last night?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through it. "And how did you verify them?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left wanted for ourselves." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." nonsense.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a made him keep the appointment." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Has he come with you to-night?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "My opinion is in no way altered." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she back to my heart. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend passage and a tap at the door. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what meant." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and had this final quarrel? question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Nothing?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." business at Coburg Square is serious." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not held up the lantern and gazed about him. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to me. pressing in one house as in another. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the behind me. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Then I do not see the point." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have accepted such a situation. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to my friend's incisive reasoning. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I answered that I had not. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the electronic works other lovers by making love himself." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of a light. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Come in!" said Holmes. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley bled considerably." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at