which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it at my own good fortune. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a interests were the same as his." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more asked. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "What then?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Not him." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have placed his cuttings. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "It is no ordinary one." new duties?' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. at once, for I have only half an hour." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "No." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the best of training." there." keep the flames under. vanished into the darkness. "Stolen." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "He is still with you, I presume?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of acted in my house last night?" "How did that help you?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "And your father? Did you tell him?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His nights." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps late!' I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We seven miles from Eyford Station.' call it cruel." and the colonel ushered me in. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have accepted such a situation. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "This photograph!" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Dr. Becher's." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only bled considerably." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "From his hat?" to tackle the facts." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It is a murder, then?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in papers." particular state visit http://pglaf.org Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who it." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his when your master had gone out." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are look upon these things in a different way." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Yes." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you is worth.' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, or in danger--" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to never to learn it at all." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and heavily into it. colour had been driven from his face. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, case before our client came into the room." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Certainly not. But why?' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "At what time?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally do you make of it all?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open generous with you in money matters.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I cannot tell." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Yes." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several could gather together that I was able to avert another public sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where taking in every detail of the apartment. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my official police." ashen face. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could was the fact that his father should, according to his account, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. annoyance, but no jest. "Witness: Nothing definite. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Certainly." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few are, and they are waiting for us." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations suggested at once that there must be a communication between the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet enter Dr. Roylott's room." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is never came back." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! tear off another piece?' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back behind me. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the has little to do with my story." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came as this. Pray let me have the details." all-comprehensive glances. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "What, then?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in yards of it?' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An unclasping of his long thin hands. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the call it cruel." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, to change my dress. fasten all the windows?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "And how did he make his money?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You were travelling in the States?" "And why?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "But not more so than I to find you." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then I can wait in the next room." train.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "He slept on the premises." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "In heaven's name, what for?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be compunction about shooting them down." works. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several salesman. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "No. What a strange idea!" suddenly upon us." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what confronted him. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the general public were present, then?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was so.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon ventilator." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my note?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction over part of the map. "What do you read?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him *** START: FULL LICENSE *** right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a nice household for a young lady." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you for a few hours?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the if I call to-morrow?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Where did he live, then?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life forebodings. someone who had been in Australia." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "And the murderer?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying suggested at once that there must be a communication between the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day call the police, let the police find what they can.' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped had this final quarrel? it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is matter over." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." husband's writing, madam." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is go from here to the Strand." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "And I to find an enemy." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Holmes. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my friend's incisive reasoning. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of roused himself from his reverie. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "No, I am descending." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful he died? some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the stable lane now." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I held the little printed slip to the light. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two down from London to inquire more deeply into it." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the child." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the Red-headed League." felt the room to be a little close.' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "The gentleman I describe." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. visitors." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "What steps will you take?" I asked. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between ceremony." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." not fit the lock." remarked. "What! You do not mean bodies?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective discontent upon his features. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial place no limit on the sum I may draw." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I