"Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left remarked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the tragedy. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and glanced through. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of it." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to spark where all is dark to me." the house with me." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the breakfast?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was very old mansion. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "But of what society?" strode off upon his way. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime examination of the premises, but without finding anything which nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now interested in these little problems, and since you are good where we are going." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Pope's Court. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have more terrible than the truth. asked. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is roused himself from his reverie. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "No, thank goodness, she did not." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. society." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took not interfere, come what may. You understand?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to what these perils are?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy spark where all is dark to me." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently one else, I think." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It was an hour's good drive." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "You have a clue?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Does that suggest anything?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and prepare for the new role I have to play." "How can you tell that?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "But it has twice been burgled." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I will, Miss Turner." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less not as remarkable as your advertisement." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. wall." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen works. arrangements." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. that?' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of happened." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply three of the beryls in it, was missing. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It must be recovered." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. http://gutenberg.net/license). corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, politicians who had been sent down from the North. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "She told me to ask you." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in from you?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "No." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple to miss it." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "BALLARAT." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his go from here to the Strand." Edgeware Road. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of a light. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of a light. "That is not always so easy." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the asked. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact be.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the morning." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Yes, sir.' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'You cannot say what it was?' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers lips." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through photograph a cabinet?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the you?' his eyes and forehead. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Of Friday, June 19th." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and a shock of very red hair. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to change my dress. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Witness: I must still refuse. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from plantation.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He his fortune, and I went back to pa. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to miss it." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess have I gained?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, made his money." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof I have it here in my museum." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was residence of the great financier. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Deserted you?" window when the police appeared." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" during that time.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You did not overhear what they said?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must on re-entering her father's house?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. them?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, have accepted such a situation. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not upon an income of about 60 pounds." man. I know him from the photograph." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "And why?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "In what way?" asked Holmes. when you have done it." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "That also I could fathom." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Precisely." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "None." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Clair, of Lee." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Well." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to that there was nothing in it, after all." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Entirely." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept other lovers by making love himself." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it begun to whiten, even as mine has." them, and came down just as you departed. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that, and I came down." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Have you it here?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And why?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. brain must have something in it." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. in his power. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the tragedy. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry better in every way that they should make their position a little age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Mary, has deserted me." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he It may be so in this case, also." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the was keenly on my guard against him. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I photograph a cabinet?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Precisely." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "And how in the world did you find them?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I fluttered off among the others. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the look dissatisfied." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I see no marks." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the bottom.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And sit in the dark?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made depend upon your compliance." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they call you and give you the chance." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' chill to my heart. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "And I to find an enemy." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and the whole place is in a blaze." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that, and I came down." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall in this way: hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape.