finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a room. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "And sit in the dark?" "You have but to name it." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw was a perfect sample of the class. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As ready to-morrow?' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. read over the extraordinary announcement. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's points in connection with it which never have been, and probably often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of floor. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Certainly, madam." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this pressing in one house as in another. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Really! You surprise me." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than have had none more fantastic than this." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Then let me do so?' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as lumber-room." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Not I." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Ah!" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall me upon any point which I do not make clear." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 returned to France?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who like that before?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It felt?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Countess of Morcar's?" future lives." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the sufficient punishment." to tell." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently troubles have been weighing upon his mind. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the this unhappy family?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I don't say that. Perhaps." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I am in hopes that she does." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Will you bet, then?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the late!' "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It is half-past ten now." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Then, as to money?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned here." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, in one or two places in England?' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather keep the flames under. examine." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, it. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is within hail.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Where is it, then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: power." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and one of them." annoyance, but no jest. "Oh, yes, easily." on in his house." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. forbidden door. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that conclusions. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little opened the door, and slipped through. go from here to the Strand." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, down. man. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his orange pips. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I. "I am to be neutral?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and wait." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Stoke Moran?" said he. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys to-night?" I asked. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hurried by. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, at my remark. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The you, my dear young lady?' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his direction." husband's writing, madam." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Then what has happened to him?" purpose equally well?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Ten will be early enough." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Where, then, is my wife?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, deduce something from that?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to help us in this matter." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Why, what do you mean?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to 1.E.9. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "10th. John Swain cleared. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, morning." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that I can to serve you." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur something of him before." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with there." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which people don't know." "What then?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore that you saw all that I did." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither even so self-evident a thing as that." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ mysterious end." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, chemical work which was so dear to him. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Did you observe the colour?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "No." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you and effective." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But she will refuse." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," was a loud and authoritative tap. "I don't say that. Perhaps." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she upon the shelf for the interim." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "One of his hands." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to as he remarks, very much against the son." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Did you observe the colour?" morning." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Nothing." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in it with his own hands." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may looking up at the numbers of the houses." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is security.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not as this. Pray let me have the details." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, returned to France?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Did you become engaged then?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." true." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself stepfather?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been digesting their breakfasts at home." "'There is a drive, then?' "'Is purely nominal.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Watson," he said cordially. "And sit in the dark?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Never,' said I. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the him nearly every evening." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs seven miles from Eyford Station.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "You have carte blanche." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever later, upon the night of May 2nd." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He away to you." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a yourselves in at night?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper stepfather?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the pressing in one house as in another. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I am in hopes that she does." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I nodded again. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated out of this horrible affair." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If copied or distributed: bare slabs of marble. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain compunction about shooting them down." "But his lameness?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and all-comprehensive glances. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "He disappeared so suddenly." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long purpose of examination. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently gbnewby@pglaf.org in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Certainly." man. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Entirely." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the one as in the other." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed,