expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Never to return." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I am in hopes that she does." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Lestrade of Scotland Yard." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Your presence might be invaluable." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "So I am. Very much so." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And now?" He raised his hand. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but front of the hall door has given its name to the place. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "He is dead," cried several voices. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly for its centre. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And leave your case unfinished?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, might have a private word with us. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after call you and give you the chance." seem to you to be relevant or not." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But your client--" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Not at all. I only doubt--' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Come in!" said he. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Yes." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "The decline of his fortunes, then?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Only as much as we can deduce." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it should be so warm over such a trifle." the nursery. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses in your London, you will know that the office of the company is companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked not as remarkable as your advertisement." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I am still in the dark." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the helping a boy to put up the shutters. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them crowd. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing chemical work which was so dear to him. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." unprofitable." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so My friend smiled. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. this as likely?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." chill to my heart. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "There are none." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; unkempt, staring out at me. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the eat it." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's few hundred pounds.' and wait." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. dear old homesteads?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Dr. Becher's." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable heavy and sharp instrument." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hurried by. matter." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the Red-headed League." "Yes." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I cannot imagine." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was directors, with the result that you have seen." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the of." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Pope's Court. shoulder; "he's all right." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is you." "And how in the world did you find them?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate you want, then?' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now way in everything. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." you." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest morning." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his indeed which he could not unravel. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become despaired of." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an handed it to him. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Your sister is dead, then?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "We must have a cab." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You think so, too?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would roused himself from his reverie. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It is very clear." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid obstinate." correct than the official force." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fear." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Was the window open?" "What, then?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his a very grave face. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up despaired of." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a was it brought him the coronet? "I have seen the police." "'How far from the body?' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which cup of tea. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Mrs. Toller serenely. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They my friend's incisive reasoning. to miss it." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it house for five minutes.' "But what harm can there be in that?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "BALLARAT." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have fait accompli?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black will he say when he returns?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Where, indeed?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And these bleak autumnal evenings." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Holmes, the busybody!" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been few hundred pounds.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Street. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yes, it was twisted." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I have my revolver," said I. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." be there in time for your coming." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I am sure." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "We were both in the photograph." of this gang." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first away into the river." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was you came in." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Doctor, of the paper and the date." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Street. "Very truly yours, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or might have a private word with us. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would his forehead." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "The murder was done with it." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. recover the gem." infinite languor in his face. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms fait accompli?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. you in your example." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "What! a murderous attack?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in this note: "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But how will you look?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that fishes. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before someone who had been in Australia." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before to Leatherhead. without a word or a look. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The doctor?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke his face which made him a very different person to the round, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, remarked. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two walking." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Who was the criminal, then?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a you, my dear young lady?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said was already answered. villagers almost as much as their master. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the house with me." "I should like to see him very much." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the date of his supposed suicide." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding place no limit on the sum I may draw." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was disappearance of these gems?" I nodded to show that I had heard. strength in the others." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely whole matter to your consideration." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Won't it ring?" father's young wife. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt point in the dark hollow of his hand. all-comprehensive glances. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss been anything against him. He had for years been known as a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which him to go away.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in