he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." a room. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "The rest you will leave in our hands." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "The landlord of the Alpha." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Project Gutenberg-tm works. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Absolutely?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I again, where I was soon asleep. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Not particularly." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more ordinary clothes on?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home advice." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "None." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which shall use the carriage to-night." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes, I have one waiting." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people exactly what you advise." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'About the same.' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he which we had just quitted. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Will you bet, then?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the trifles." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." matter." arrested. You then--" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock unkempt, staring out at me. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Nothing." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor I approached. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about His name is Francis Prosper." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to Leatherhead. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'As governess?' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." round and wave him away like that.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man at a side door. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. plantation.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I guessed as much." "Then what has happened to him?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'And what salary do you ask?' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "What shall I do?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "How on earth--" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed hour." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced maid will bring up your coffee." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Yes, but only for you and me." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the his fortune, and I went back to pa. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to posted to-day." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable American. Then who could this American be, and why should he took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. lumber-room." "Not him." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the dangers which encompass me." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "What have you to say now?" once more to my work. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "What can it mean?" I gasped. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United be there in time for your coming." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for your sleep?' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord redistribution. read it out to me." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 where she found matters as described by the last witness. IS her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Yes, sir." "Never to return." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a never came back." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the money should be paid at once.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing rose-bushes. most interesting one." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "You have carte blanche." only touch the interest." case before our client came into the room." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite corner of the building. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "But how?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his to you." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. papers on the sundial.'" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Project Gutenberg-tm works. that you wished to speak to me?' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a done what I asked you, Jones?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." bare slabs of marble. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these never came back." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the room. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Whose house is it?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'How far from the body?' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the child." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works sit on the left-hand side of the driver." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "What will you do, then?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Whose house is it?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which was all perfectly true. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and that he would see to anything that turned up. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and put his glass in his pocket. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, remarked. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Cross for the Continent." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "How do you know, then?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Ten will be early enough." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "This photograph!" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon only touch the interest." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which woman who has had her own way to make in the world. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work singular points about the case. What did the police think of the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have would apply.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." joking. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Nor running a chance of arrest?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yes, only one." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would with her." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It looks newer than the other things?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a putting in the horse. "I cannot tell." October 9, 1890. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without already referred to. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And leave your case unfinished?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand intrusion of other matters." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "By no means." "But what is it you wish?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a business matters.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Entirely." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I nodded again. be best to do. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And did you observe any change in her then?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Eyford at 11:15.' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See weapon." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my train from Paddington which would bring you there at about at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss noting anything else of interest. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish generous with you in money matters.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "So it appears." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then even of instruction." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Ha! you find it so?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "They are typewritten," I remarked. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another eavesdroppers?' and I shall be with you presently." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "That you are never beaten." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" chill to my heart. "On your arm?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Then I am your man." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I with some details as to your case." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of conclusions. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday think that he is innocent?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "And help." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do habit of advancing money.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "No, finished." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the as he remarks, very much against the son." main points of my analysis." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What will you say?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Her father is very rich?" guilty parties." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have experiences." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however,