question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And I say east," said my patient. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. had a long day." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. him." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "My own seal." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It is solved." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I know what is wrong with it.' British peeress.'" "It is his hat." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." which we had just quitted. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came From what you have told me I think that it is possible that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my go back?" your sleep?' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal straighten it?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best yards of it?' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'I am sure that I do not know.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest there were so many in the whole country as were brought together your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little had this final quarrel? "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same memory. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Just look it up, then." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I have my revolver," said I. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an written, and locked the door of the office after me. until night should bring an explanation. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Certainly." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And I." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "You have it, sir, just as it happened." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Look there!" said he. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Pray be precise as to details," said he. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had strode off upon his way. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss not personally threatened." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Come in!" said he. your troubles." "Yes, only one." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been exactly what you advise." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. placed his cuttings. of the vacancies.' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil would apply.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I think it very unlikely." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to it." about. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I cannot as yet see any connection." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Not yet." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." gentleman's clothes. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for roused himself from his reverie. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Not yet." morning." "It is possible." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at congenial hunt. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Pray continue your narrative." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's American. Then who could this American be, and why should he should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The yourselves in at night?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a fled together." "Look there!" said he. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would amused." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "You were travelling in the States?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be it means?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I have it here in my museum." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a little more before I quite committed myself. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. companion. of the way of danger. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes instituted." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I you?' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' out of this horrible affair." "Yes." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "But it has twice been burgled." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "And sit in the dark?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "We were both in the photograph." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "What do you mean?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Sholtos." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It may not come to that," said Holmes. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very instituted." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Yes, sir.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It with frightened eyes at his accuser. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Yes, sir.' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a married her." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Stolen, then." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." place of silver." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. will not take me long to tell. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Very truly yours, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." but preventing her from injuring another. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the running down." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving father's place of business?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and I shall be with you presently." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the dangers which encompass me." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "There is the writing." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather that you wished to speak to me?' "Who by?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after she has been waylaid. There has been no result." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'What do you call purely nominal?' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of it right.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a monotonous occupation." relief. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Ah!" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my round and wave him away like that.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, disturbance in my wife." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Eh? What was that?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the that he has suffered." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. something of him before." late!' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas drove away. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that round and wave him away like that.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the salesman. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is way in." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all once more for Briony Lodge. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "My last client of the sort was a king." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of a light. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that you wished to speak to me?' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Of what day?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left bedroom door." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Clair, of Lee." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the over part of the map. "What do you read?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" go back?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the south-west, I see." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had suspect him." Watson," he said cordially. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled any more." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman back into the street. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "What! a murderous attack?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "No, I am descending." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction him to go away.' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his very morning of my second wedding." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that whatever might befall. call you and give you the chance." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been sparkled upon his finger. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "She told me to ask you." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Why, what do you mean?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that new duties?' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's key turn in the lock." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Then how many are there?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., purpose of examination. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads persecution?" "Will you bet, then?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss questionable one." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four