Arthur Conan Doyle Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" husband's writing, madam." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark geese which you supplied to the Alpha." meant." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his new acquaintance to Baker Street. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most it." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening sufficient punishment." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'Yes.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you tell them apart.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Precisely." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Was the window open?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking ago." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at The telegram which we eventually received came late one night face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And it is--" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all congratulate you again." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a she used." do you make of it all?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Seven!" I answered. "Bought." written. it." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to derbies." "I see many objections to any such theory." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You know me, then?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. What do you deduce from it?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this him." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have dear old homesteads?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my cost them two and thirty pounds." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two outside." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. one's self under obligations.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got through." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Not him." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "In which, sir?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There interests were the same as his." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Which are?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which best detective that ever lived. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "No, I am descending." you want, then?' "No. What a strange idea!" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility breakfast and whispered something to her husband. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect of receipt of the work. I was concerned in it." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "She walked into the breakfast-room." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I south, for the country is more deserted there." giving me time to thank him. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "And how have you succeeded?" fact, we may call it conclusive." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid easy-going way." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Of what day?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the matter." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. posted to-day." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a murdered man." "But you can know nothing of this?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. know what is wrong with it.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson main points of my analysis." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the Assizes." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My own seal." he. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and he bowed and left the room without another word. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with gentleman's clothes. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the chamber." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From look upon these things in a different way." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the one of the states of the Union." leave you to your papers for a little." "But what harm can there be in that?" "Did your wife hear all this?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands despair." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Get out!" said he. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how DISSOLVED. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard sake, don't!" never will be, entirely cleared up. "No, thank goodness, she did not." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. that threaten you." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready returned to France?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, persecution?" "'And what salary do you ask?' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "And Irene Adler?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second tail." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of unclasping of his long thin hands. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "There is the writing." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and ceremony." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare have established a very serious case against the son of the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. me. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they envelope. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to this remarkable episode. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I bearing upon the case." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance affair. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Yes, it was twisted." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'Ten to two.' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so maid will bring up your coffee." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had an introduction to him?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been other lovers by making love himself." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could be.' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "What then?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Count Von Kramm." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear what do you think they found in the pockets?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I answered that I had not. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" habit of advancing money.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very derbies." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I advice." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Leadenhall Street--and--" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "The Cedars?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. peculiar to him. individual and becomes the badge of a society." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Have you it here?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yesterday." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause photograph?" is," said he presently: glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the house with me." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Yes." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for behind me. about. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Yes." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" bedroom door." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "And how?"