and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. back alive. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up key of the affair now." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Is purely nominal.' at my remark. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the nursery. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed gentleman's clothes. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps so far?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of flock.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "We were both in the photograph." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at yourselves in at night?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She enough to aid us in our search." "Certainly." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary know that the truth is known." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom goes." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons that you saw all that I did." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "How long did she speak to this Alice?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of held up the lantern and gazed about him. where we are going." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, key of the affair now." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which said he. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the salesman. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself asked. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Oh, yes, easily." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Nothing?" "My own seal." "'Why that?' I asks. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "In what way?" asked Holmes. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from prisoner's face. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." round and wave him away like that.' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less if only as a check to my own memory." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand some terrible trap for her." instituted." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "How about poison?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." suddenly upon us." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs one's self under obligations.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one ceremony." again before evening." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Count Von Kramm." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in the hope of finding them." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, it. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial if only as a check to my own memory." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Holmes' room. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and effective." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'Ample.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it look upon these things in a different way." think that he is innocent?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Because he was handy and would come cheap." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Tired-looking or fresh?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "That is easily got." which was all perfectly true. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Well." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "What do you mean?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To was keenly on my guard against him. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock becomes even more simple." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the driver. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of this gang." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yesterday." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "And sit in the dark?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And I to find an enemy." "Not in the least." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I coroner's jury." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Her father is very rich?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to death." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the call for it in person on Monday morning.' becomes even more simple." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Pray do so." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed is now desirous of getting those letters back." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the which it had come upon my father." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water galvanised. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" see me here to avoid scandal." hurried away. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "The best possible." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "But what is it you wish?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may any." "Quite so. She has her freedom." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I leave." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you carriage. It was a chestnut." grasp, he hurried from the room. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" do you make of it all?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'And the work?' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Countess of Morcar's?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the happened." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Do you go out much in society?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Why serious?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Here?" matters immensely." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me village inn over there?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an me where it went to?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." wall." papers diligently of late, have you not?" question," said Holmes, smiling. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom shoulder; "he's all right." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." least a fellow-countryman. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. neither fascinating nor artistic." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Which dealer's?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Eyford at 11:15.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable roused himself from his reverie. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the business." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Lee, in the county of Kent." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'A dozen yards or so.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her bonnet, and went out." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. sofa. This way, please!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my you in your example." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the little opening for the ventilator is." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "No." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And I." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Seven!" I answered. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Have you it here?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "We have tried and failed." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' exactly what you advise." business matters.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "No bad?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You have carte blanche." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and trying to your nerves." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and that you saw all that I did." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, your most interesting statement." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect straightened it out again. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" even of instruction." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them believe that I should never have any practice at all. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "And why in hopes?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "You have the photograph?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Well, but China?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "What will you say?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Why did you pick him?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My four million human beings all jostling each other within the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was wife's character?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I have hopes." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Stolen." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any mysterious business." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Dirty?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" public press." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her should be so warm over such a trifle." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon politicians who had been sent down from the North. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course results." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon could gather together that I was able to avert another public a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "One of his hands." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "That is possible." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an furiously. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'Never.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "By no means." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." DAMAGE. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade empty. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its fatally injured? used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and all of them with the keenest interest. "And how?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "But what will you do?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of carried out of court." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to