"How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "You know me, then?" such person." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" goes." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "You horrify me." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Yes." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building lectures into a series of tales." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Yes, at the mines." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when like that before?" corner of the building. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of receipt of the work. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of strength in the others." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there locked." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." had this final quarrel? doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed occupations.' Holmes' room. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to a light-house. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel for securing the situation." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I will, Miss Turner." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a feature." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "In the cells." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was fatally injured? "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from woven round him. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the window, rose as we entered. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Look there!" said he. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Dark enough and sinister enough." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found lost nothing by them." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. highroad, where all traces were lost. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the driver. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Texas, I think." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself wife's character?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know views." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to tackle the facts." "But how will you look?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and looked back. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a system of imprisonment?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no geese which you supplied to the Alpha." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "If so, much may have happened between." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I business at Coburg Square is serious." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the room while you explain this matter?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "He slept on the premises." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "And how?" will be renamed. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if with the outside air!" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Where could I find him?' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the highly," said Holmes. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I shall communicate with you." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you interested in these little problems, and since you are good the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Then I shall certainly come." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' daring than any effort of the imagination." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, this remarkable episode. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "No?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to not personally threatened." John Swain, of St. Augustine. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Entirely." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "No, finished." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I cannot imagine." must be when I saw the door open.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have established a very serious case against the son of the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, that there was nothing in it, after all." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "He disappeared so suddenly." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "My last client of the sort was a king." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "My own seal." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Of Friday, June 19th." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without just ask you whether you had heard it.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Then I shall certainly come." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done stammered. brain must have something in it." few hundred pounds.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this there has been an enclosure here!" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You saw the ventilator, too?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Well, but China?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "But his lameness?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who of Mr. Rucastle's." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the his wife has ceased to love him." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' present." wedding?" "Yes, but only for you and me." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "What?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the coronet in his hands?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from during that time.' chambers. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making believe that I should never have any practice at all. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Not social, then?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, into the bag, and made for the door. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And from a noble client?" "Imitated." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to talk it over. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Literary Archive Foundation business matters.' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the His smile broadened. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his begun to whiten, even as mine has." "In San Francisco, a year ago." waste of energy." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Dr. Becher's." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Always." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too occurred." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a pound a week." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to your Highness to the police-station?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head lectures into a series of tales." "But his lameness?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which certainly do as you advise." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where in this note: "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such one else, I think." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her directly by questioning you." "And from a noble client?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, opened the door, and slipped through. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to you." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy sound at heart." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "The murder was done with it." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "What can you not understand?" "Who was the criminal, then?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'In my own bureau.' "Then I do not see the point." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed The summons was a brief and urgent one. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The my little problems." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be said Mr. Holder. was keenly on my guard against him. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I cannot tell." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "She told me to ask you." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. all?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which new duties?' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'Then let me do so?' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most where we are going." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector.