January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as fluttered off among the others. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing colonel looking down at me. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to been." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could hopeless attempt at recovering them." footfalls from the street. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no me, and I could not think that his explanation of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, his eyes and forehead. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with British peeress.'" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Miss Holder?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was works. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "But you have hopes?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that status with the IRS. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to take care of herself." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "The knees of his trousers." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 annoyance, but no jest. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Indeed! Whose, then?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the dangers which encompass me." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Did he not advertise?" and have this put in the evening papers." have one." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which During two years I have had three consultations and one small not as remarkable as your advertisement." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Because he was handy and would come cheap." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, ready to-morrow?' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set astonishment. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, gives a meaning to it." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern never will be, entirely cleared up. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting I leave." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Ample.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at will be renamed. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a gigantic client. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." jewels which you have stolen?' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which yourselves in at night?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Project Gutenberg-tm works. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Farm upon the left." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was already answered. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." residence of the great financier. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he following enigmatical notices: The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her them?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes, I have one waiting." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a be there in time for your coming." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "None." looking up at the numbers of the houses." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I should like to see him very much." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman hands. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere posted to-day." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child coroner's jury." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew drawing your inferences." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that I can to serve you." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses girl said." attention." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight be best to do. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most it with his own hands." client, rising. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public cause to be." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular confronted him. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning stalked out of the room. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'I have already given you my word.' "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "'I am sure if I had known--' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the devil!" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "When did she vanish, then?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes." http://gutenberg.net/license). friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into over part of the map. "What do you read?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to change my dress. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached been deceived." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they neither fascinating nor artistic." "I will not look." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Come in!" said Holmes. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Where to?' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible giving me time to thank him. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried opportunities to fix the problem. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in experiences." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich face and glided from the room. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All where she found matters as described by the last witness. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, off." "What of the rat, then?" shoulder. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of she used." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Nothing?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are used to be." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." will take you up to see the machine.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Imitated." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "None." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the stones. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that look upon these things in a different way." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" made him keep the appointment." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of a light. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "And I say east," said my patient. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You have a clue?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, help us in this matter." envelope. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Again Holmes raved in the air. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. leave you to your papers for a little." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Yes, all." to you." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she know what is wrong with it.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle place of silver." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that throat." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after behind me. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the a monotonous occupation." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "It is a murder, then?" furiously. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "My opinion is in no way altered." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a signal between you and your father? "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the way in." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the you want, then?' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" remarked. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds outsides of the windows. quickly through a disagreeable task. "Will you go?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil good for you to do.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. asked with his eyes open. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my spare." one of them." "A greater distance to travel." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And did you observe any change in her then?" morning." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so allusion to a rat. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer in the port of London." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the throat." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed nothing with him." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Not I." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility which our visitor detailed to us. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "The King of Scandinavia." carriage. It was a chestnut." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods seen the man in the road." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Eh? What was that?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the dangers which encompass me." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "And what then?" when your master had gone out." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be but preventing her from injuring another.