companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "But to whom?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I question," said Holmes, smiling. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the room while you explain this matter?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between room?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Nothing." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived client, rising. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been nice household for a young lady." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "My private note-paper." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "At what time?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" to talk it over. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and new acquaintance to Baker Street. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "How can you tell that?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that to-night?" I asked. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and put his glass in his pocket. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the in him." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any that I can to serve you." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" him." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds an introduction to him?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to For additional contact information: out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade business?" "Then I am your man." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Mrs. Toller serenely. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "What of the rat, then?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the loss of it. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Quite so." empty. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Have you good authority for what you say?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, which are rolled in Rotterdam." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in should be taken.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Yes, sir." down. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a looking up at the numbers of the houses." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be guilty parties." sofa. This way, please!" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek careless servant girl?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "And how in the world did you find them?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I any little problem which you may submit to me." interest. They are important, you understand, without being He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first answered with a sidelong glance. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "What shall I do?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular passage and a tap at the door. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand My friend smiled. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "So I am. Very much so." waste of energy." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Eyford at 11:15.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Can I be of assistance?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked success. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "But how did you gain them?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Nothing?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as my friend's incisive reasoning. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "What do you mean?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this salesman. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I papers." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." shaken than I had ever seen him. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "None." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen carriage. It was a chestnut." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the photograph?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Then the page we have seen--" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed fashion which was peculiar to him. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing salesman. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Literary Archive Foundation "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are strode off upon his way. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to you." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Yes." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, like that before?" DAMAGE. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no village inn over there?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "What can you not understand?" "Will you go?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the tail." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The King stared at him in amazement. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Perhaps I have." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'What then?' I asked. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that delirious. sake, don't!" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I have my revolver," said I. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt then?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and imbecility!" he cried. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was that I may have something better before very many minutes are an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought certainly not very gracious." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs me. You must get home instantly and act." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't skylight. "I have solved it." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "My stepfather's business papers." "I should be immensely obliged to you." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear meanly of me." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered corner of the building. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His flock.' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You think that he is dead?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I have come for advice." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "To an end?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. papers." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, paper in the air. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And how did he make his money?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that lamp in his hand. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have have had none more fantastic than this." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. sake, don't!" be there in time for your coming." room?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Get out!" said he. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "If I can be of use." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel in his power. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Yes." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," cost them two and thirty pounds." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, pictures, libraries, or plate. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its was a lad." "What will you do, then?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "One?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the important." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know me upon any point which I do not make clear." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'About the same.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm meant it for the best. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he results." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one against a man in the prime of life?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for when you have done it." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the corner of the building. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly gbnewby@pglaf.org words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." to-morrow." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental once more to my work. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Not in the least." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Then, as to money?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I was sure that I might rely on you." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'As governess?' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of campaign. business?" morning." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "But how could you guess what the motive was?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'Then let me do so?' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided