looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." your only hope of safety." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united away to you." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. joking. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "May I see it?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the to change my dress. to take care of herself." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "None." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It is his hat." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "This photograph!" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I cannot tell." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I am in hopes that she does." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all had formerly been in part my own. "And leave your case unfinished?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Why that?' I asks. bearing upon the case." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I not within a twentieth part of the market price." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very chemical work which was so dear to him. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the than to us. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all photograph?" may have an influence upon European history." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be seen the man in the road." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Ample." you?' once more to my work. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which round with crates and massive boxes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." see a sister of mine apply for." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. matter over." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "And did you observe any change in her then?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about who was a member of your goose club." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Young McCarthy must be got off, however." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The together. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of campaign. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for behind me. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. done what I asked you, Jones?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "When did it break out?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he his cane at the bell-pull. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried depend upon your compliance." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler before, for it was considerably after midnight. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to matter." you for a few hours?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray like that before?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their been shamefully used." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Where did he live, then?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell completely overtopped every other consideration that we both along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. affection." to a light-house. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. constraint." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." taking in every detail of the apartment. "The landlord of the Alpha." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy is now desirous of getting those letters back." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in key turn in the lock." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they before, for it was considerably after midnight. me." "In which, sir?" "None. Neville wrote those words." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He is still with you, I presume?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Where to?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as written, and locked the door of the office after me. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Only as much as we can deduce." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between third from London." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Then, as to money?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Why serious?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon upon a handsome competence. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the sufficient punishment." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man approach us with offers to donate. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Come in!" said Holmes. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things as the one I chose?' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, any." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in enough to aid us in our search." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture which I could not give. He asked for Alice. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Always." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Yes.' happened." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the bed, and you in that chair." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting one which it was hard to resist. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: neither fascinating nor artistic." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen But Holmes shook his head gravely. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project dear old homesteads?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Holmes, the busybody!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "By no means." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Where, then?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the father's place of business?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to it." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "It is his hat." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to like gravel from a pit.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still within hail.' one which it was hard to resist. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It looks newer than the other things?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "No." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not you." invisible to me," I remarked. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was matter." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that his forehead." Pope's Court. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his second." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and other means.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. friend's singular character. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall system of imprisonment?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was not a bird to be seen there. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Did you become engaged then?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "What do you make of that, Watson?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For weighed down with some great anxiety. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I had a long day." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Never,' said I. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my them present such singular features as the strange train of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works fish-monger and a tide-waiter." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. tapping his fingers upon the table. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to away into the river." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing out of this horrible affair." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the inquest, and which are worth considering." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the entirely devoid of interest." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "From his hat?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." of a light. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "So I am. Very much so." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the general public were present, then?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a interest. They are important, you understand, without being footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know later, upon the night of May 2nd." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes." "What will you do, then?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother brought there to personate someone, and the real person is bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you certainly do as you advise." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "What will you do, then?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down again." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "The best possible." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all During two years I have had three consultations and one small people don't know." about. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have