anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "He said that you could solve anything." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no think that any burglar could have done. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "The Cedars?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly been shamefully used." formed some opinion?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of from the brougham. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "It is half-past ten now." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a bedroom door." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" everything which you would wish to know." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at was a loud and authoritative tap. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. such attractions and accomplishments?' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon exactly what you advise." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Awake, Watson?" he asked. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. in darkness. copied or distributed: and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and even so self-evident a thing as that." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Why that?' I asks. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Yes." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, forecastle of an emigrant ship. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fasten all the windows?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Ah!" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of note-paper. It read in this fashion: stepfather?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Yes, I promise.' drove away. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every said he. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort it? Did I buy the geese off you?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the time." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and asked. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she conduct the inquiry." "Never to return." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "My dear Holmes!" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a out." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'What are you doing there?' he asked. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the is worth.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Never.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Again Holmes raved in the air. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear details." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I think it very unlikely." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'Why that?' I asks. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest shoulder. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found strong reason behind." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the loss of it. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Pool. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "My dear Holmes!" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I am in hopes that she does." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I should like to see him very much." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "He is dead," cried several voices. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the in a very precise fashion." "VIOLET HUNTER." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Not in a good cause." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled McCarthy's innocence. maiden herself was most instructive." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases morning." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a certainly do as you advise." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And what then?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "The knees of his trousers." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who you." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Pool. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could standing smiling on the door-step. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. you give your casting vote to?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and put his glass in his pocket. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "What will you do, then?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "In San Francisco, a year ago." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK compunction about shooting them down." becomes even more simple." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Yes." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And when will you call?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is money should be paid at once.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I shall be delighted." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you her also." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to take care of herself." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Why that?' I asks. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of your young ladies.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true 1.F. depend upon your compliance." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Yes." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to sofa. This way, please!" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was husband's writing, madam." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "We must sit without light. He would see it through the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "So I heard. You have him here?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Which dealer's?' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I will try. What is it?" Mrs. Toller serenely. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Sutherland?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Dirty?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "But he might be a bachelor." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary these bleak autumnal evenings." matter over." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Serpentine Avenue. "That was it, sir." "I do." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very one of them." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "9th. McCauley cleared. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for during that time.' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my friend's incisive reasoning. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced which we had just quitted. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Street. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that possible that we could bring him back to her? nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And how?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Where, then, is my wife?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Where, then, is my wife?" Sholtos." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each tied." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. papers must be those that are destroyed.' His smile broadened. "Who was the criminal, then?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook that you saw all that I did." Holmes' face clouded over. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air results." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of acquaintance?" London for the present?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "That also I could fathom." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I say that I have solved it." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence clanging. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "None." there when the Rucastles went away." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You have the photograph?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "To ruin me." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "To an English lawyer named Norton." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead been lifted and conveyed somewhere." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the guilty one." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I see many objections to any such theory." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "And leave your case unfinished?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and have this put in the evening papers." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass quite distinctive." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a unclasping of his long thin hands. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike have not had my rubber." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his eyes and forehead. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'Certainly not.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "So I am. Very much so." "What I expected to see." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and detained." call you and give you the chance." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been chill to my heart. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black foot. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. placed his cuttings. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Foundation I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called