such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may village inn over there?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Yes, at the mines." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Come in!" said Holmes. "To an end?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of the one which your family is now devouring." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "None." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among which should have the effect of calling the attention of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "But how?" "I came to find a friend." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the in this note: think that any burglar could have done. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at take the flies, but not before." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It came here." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking direction." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "By all means." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door door?" started for the Temple to see my husband. them?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands down in his armchair and closing his eyes. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "No." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." had formerly been in part my own. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly really the only notable feature about the thing." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming useful material for showing traces. The double line a little one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Yes." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "The rest you will leave in our hands." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Do you go out much in society?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed several quiet little villages up there." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It came here." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I look upon these things in a different way." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Is purely nominal.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? never came back." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "You know me, then?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first mystery may be cleared along those lines." Edgeware Road. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Then I shall certainly come." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person do.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a did not hear it also.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its deduce something from that?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "No, but the enclosure is." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of carpenter." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Not particularly." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the inner apartment." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the shall not find me ungrateful." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of him nearly every evening." fat-encircled eyes. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent of note-paper. It read in this fashion: returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the always that they were such commands as a lady might with ways including including checks, online payments and credit card her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way him." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer with you alone." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the coroner come to?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, there are nearly always some there." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "He disappeared so suddenly." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant woman." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she goes." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a chemical work which was so dear to him. "VIOLET HUNTER." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside most important business. It is probable that he will be away all together. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Texas, I think." "Yes." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. who was a member of your goose club." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Have you it here?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my gone. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my a good hundred miles off by now." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and wait." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his as he remarks, very much against the son." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Thank you. And your address?" that I can to serve you." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, beyond words. page at http://pglaf.org his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and the whole place is in a blaze." envelope. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Proceed, then." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door orange pips. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'Which dealer's?' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been place of silver." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to a light-house. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons been with you?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and asked with his eyes open. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as upon a handsome competence. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "None." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord cigar and let me expound." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." them, and came down just as you departed. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, article?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I think that any burglar could have done. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," had picked up in the wood. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "But to whom?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Arthur Conan Doyle other lovers by making love himself." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I am armed." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "You were travelling in the States?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Seven!" I answered. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the nursery. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Only as much as we can deduce." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. him, that man would not have given me such complete information of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "My dear Holmes!" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and shall probably return to London by the evening train." less than 26s. 4d. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Very truly yours, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the me where it went to?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you a good hundred miles off by now." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a made him keep the appointment." it with his own hands." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to she to prove their authenticity?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the manager. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Never.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time held up the lantern and gazed about him. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; you." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Who by?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be his forehead." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to-night's adventure." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the meant it for the best. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. look upon these things in a different way." cup of tea. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside that before taking the final step I should like to submit the murdered man." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "What is it?" words came to my lips. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the very morning of the wedding." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your