the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes meant it for the best. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped have an American origin." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. My friend smiled. "And the murderer?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend one or two very singular points about this room. For example, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "What have you to say now?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently strength of mind to control. you came in." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "She walked into the breakfast-room." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, it would be as well." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by had a long day." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I don't say that. Perhaps." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It strode off upon his way. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'What do you call purely nominal?' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very congratulate you again." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with will not take me long to tell. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we that I am arrested." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "But he might be a bachelor." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between straightened it out again. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by colour had been driven from his face. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Yes, sir." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "This concluded the examination of the witness." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and call you and give you the chance." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's taking in every detail of the apartment. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I himself. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Perfectly so." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "At what time?" public press." I am not easy in my mind about them." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Precisely." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." already been minutely examined." the matter?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the very morning of the wedding." there in twenty minutes." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Heh?' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to tell." "Always." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and no precautions can guard against." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss at a side door. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Again Holmes raved in the air. ourselves in the office." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all happened." must compliment you." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin may have an influence upon European history." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was that, and I came down." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Perhaps we may make them less so." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, License. You must require such a user to return or to some other building. "Then I do not see the point." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Why did you beat the pavement?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "You horrify me." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you highroad, where all traces were lost. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by served to weaken the effect. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found their singular warning or token before them when starting upon girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Thank you. And your address?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." there was no need for father to know." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Murdered?" legal crime." joking. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a my room." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most observed. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hurried by. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the hurried away. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this do.' Have you good authority for what you say?" be. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "No good news?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "That is possible." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, upon the sideboard." "Frequently." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "She told me to ask you." forecastle of an emigrant ship. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. quickly through a disagreeable task. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But sound at heart." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow deduce something from that?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up could gather together that I was able to avert another public accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you are windows in it, of course?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. guilty parties." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between delirious. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and the whole place is in a blaze." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, girl said." go from here to the Strand." and laid it on the table. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Then he might have called to you?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Come in!" said he. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You with her." him!" or other trace. But how on earth--" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by very old mansion. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the new duties?' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. in him." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the arrangements." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know few hundred pounds.' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that I can to serve you." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my directors, with the result that you have seen." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "And what then?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an giving me time to thank him. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady both be extremely obliged.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No legal papers or certificates?" sufficient punishment." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "How did that help you?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'What then?' I asked. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "And you don't know his address?" that I can to serve you." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Breckinridge is his name." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden you." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in darkness. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I see no marks." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Here?" asked. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no time." yet." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." business matters.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She any." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Not yet." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Surrey." intrusion of other matters." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "It is solved." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "It certainly sounds feasible." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "What then?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was deduce something from that?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "How many? I don't know." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Can I be of assistance?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is plantation.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. in a very precise fashion." families. Now for the facts. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank within hail.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" whereabouts. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Murdered?" "Then I am your man." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of footfalls from the street. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the bottom.' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about place, I think that there is good ground to think that the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a interest. They are important, you understand, without being just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Absolutely?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "You know me, then?" the date of his supposed suicide." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to nonsense.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "What steps will you take?" I asked. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Pray let us have it, for all that." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. think, you have already met." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that I am arrested." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even begin with, and I had not got mine yet." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting as this. Pray let me have the details." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "We were both in the photograph." the ceiling. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to-night?" I asked. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat