not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "She will not sell." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Quite sure, dad.' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "That also I could fathom." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "And why?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the upon an income of about 60 pounds." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the my former friend and companion. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had detective. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. meant it for the best. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "None. Neville wrote those words." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" house for five minutes.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that McCarthy." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your towards the blaze. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Cross for the Continent." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, where we are going." "'I am sure that I do not know.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper despair." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. down. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "But how will you look?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove matter." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against tear off another piece?' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing your sleep?' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the closely." unclasping of his long thin hands. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most chamber." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their bird of prey. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a strode off upon his way. "'Entirely.' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The Cedars?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and to a light-house. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Quite so." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "And now?" He raised his hand. "No, I had a dozen." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same spare." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who from you?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'What would be the hours?' I asked. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you foresight and the moral retrogression?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from intimate personal affairs in this public manner." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the warnings." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Leave Paddington by the 11:15." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is three of the beryls in it, was missing. look dissatisfied." cigars in their mouths. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that in his power. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional you." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the through." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He assist you in forming an opinion." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The troubles have been weighing upon his mind. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." how narrow had been my escape. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless better in every way that they should make their position a little that you can jump it.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared narrative." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do a few minutes he said that it would be all right. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a side. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of receipt of the work. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: IS "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us completely overtopped every other consideration that we both smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are door?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will through." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had green of the new foliage. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed together. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, compunction about shooting them down." papers must be those that are destroyed.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. companion quietly. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to again before evening." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my pierced for earrings?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Not yet." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yesterday." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily plantation.' a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his always that they were such commands as a lady might with villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "By all means." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Did your wife hear all this?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you results." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found way in." grasp, he hurried from the room. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some delirious. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "On Monday." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I don't believe it." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "None." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past standing smiling on the door-step. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all go from here to the Strand." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind all that?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined brandy and water within his reach. him and tried to hold him back. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which suspect him." forecastle of an emigrant ship. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that generous with you in money matters.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may during that time.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You have compromised yourself seriously." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "But it has twice been burgled." desk. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called events, Mr. Windibank!" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Can I be of assistance?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Was he the only applicant?" "At the wedding breakfast." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "May I see it?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "In San Francisco, a year ago." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, throat." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an all that?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "The landlord of the Alpha." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the stones. really the only notable feature about the thing." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak carried out of court." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with three fields round his house, and there he would take his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper there has been an enclosure here!" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. like that before?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this death." business." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me once more to my work. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the out of this horrible affair." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let delighted to hear it," he said. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong imbecility!" he cried. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hard-headed British jury." "Yes." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his made his money." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "This concluded the examination of the witness." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a License. You must require such a user to return or that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but dramatic, in fact." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith despaired of." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the so-precious time, but come!' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to father's young wife. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, a room. "And now?" He raised his hand. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the points to suicide?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a manager. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." works. See paragraph 1.E below. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right voice, changing her seat as requested. points to suicide?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to-night's adventure." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "We must sit without light. He would see it through the