however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I cannot imagine." all that?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Yes, but only for you and me." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It certainly sounds feasible." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like congenial hunt. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I would pay ten." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are invisible to me," I remarked. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that, and I came down." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and wedding?" "Thank you. And your address?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' corner of the building. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," British peeress.'" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "What then?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Absolutely none." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and very morning of my second wedding." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he floor. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I should wish to." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it locked." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Precisely so. But how--" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Have you it here?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Why that?' I asks. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'And what salary do you ask?' friend's singular character. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, approach us with offers to donate. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" if I call to-morrow?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire me upon any point which I do not make clear." "My dear Holmes!" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "We were both in the photograph." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right official police." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, shoulder; "he's all right." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "My dear Holmes!" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You forget that I know nothing about it." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Munro.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a ordinary clothes on?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to future lives." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts which I could not give. He asked for Alice. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the salesman. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that, and I came down." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "My dear Holmes!" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "So I have heard." letters?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend client, rising. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our he died? newspaper selections." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of matter." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "You have compromised yourself seriously." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "ARAT," I read. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would all?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in any." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to tell." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly said he. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the one of them." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "That is not always so easy." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of here and I will read it to you: been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the But Holmes shook his head gravely. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or it." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to surprise her." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And what then?" "Yes, all." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is hands. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and outside. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her conduct the inquiry." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and best detective that ever lived. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Your presence might be invaluable." lamp. ways of our fellow-men." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "No." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I easy-going way." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." criminal. We have already had experience of such." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "When did it break out?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "That is possible." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "When did it break out?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Never." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "From his hat?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility sooner or later she must fall a victim. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all I am not easy in my mind about them." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose charge against him will break down." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his notes," he said. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And you can do nothing until then?" "How do you know, then?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been really the only notable feature about the thing." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out me." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It looks newer than the other things?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "To an end?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I am to be neutral?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Tired-looking or fresh?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after that you saw all that I did." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a way in." shall not find me ungrateful." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Gutenberg-tm License. business came to an end." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. answered with a sidelong glance. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Where did you address your letters, then?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "No, I had a dozen." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of shoulder; "he's all right." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Which are?" father's young wife. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" envelope. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a man. I know him from the photograph." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A mystery!" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "It is possible." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out some terrible trap for her." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our go--none." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "She walked into the breakfast-room." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Sutherland. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the matter?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'What are you doing there?' he asked. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Certainly,' I answered. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. ordinary clothes on?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of there when the Rucastles went away." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have undoubtedly my uncle's." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and glanced through. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, hopeless attempt at recovering them." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Nothing." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different was keenly on my guard against him. "I would give my fortune to have them back." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and acquaintance?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with this man was intellectual?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably before, for it was considerably after midnight. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the coronet in his hand?" man. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and learned something! Where are the gems?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the stones. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "What do you make of that, Watson?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "That sounds a little paradoxical." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help occurred." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to talk it over. "How can you tell that?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of them has the shutters up.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Certainly." during that time.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "The gentleman I describe." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That present." burst out into a roar of laughter. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Thank you. Pray proceed." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, I took the paper from him and read as follows: Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The key turn in the lock." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. take the flies, but not before." fishes. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Entirely." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and