receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest it." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I see many objections to any such theory." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'Stolen!' he cried. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Did you become engaged then?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that I may have something better before very many minutes are I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "No." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "They are typewritten," I remarked. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "In heaven's name, what for?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "To an end?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Really! You surprise me." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Ten to two.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, chambers. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has garden below. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots client, rising. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a learned something! Where are the gems?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'What do you call purely nominal?' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and the colonel ushered me in. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "By no means." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and no precautions can guard against." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to started for the Temple to see my husband. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Street. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "No, I think that I'll take it." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, mysterious business." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly a suggestive one." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? clang of the bell. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some key of the affair now." this Miss Turner." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I cup of tea. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated off." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your brandy and water within his reach. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret felt?" written. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say towards the blaze. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted someone who had been in Australia." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not business came to an end." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Were they all fastened this morning?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "That also I could fathom." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "One?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My keep the flames under. only touch the interest." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the garden below. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "How do you know, then?" man. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with been able to understand it, in a very few words. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It is possible." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were him to go away.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place tear off another piece?' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously his fortune, and I went back to pa. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Did you observe the colour?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I cannot imagine." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. weighed down with some great anxiety. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the affair. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in putting in the horse. nothing with him." photograph a cabinet?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up You want to know what became of those geese?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no carpenter." "I see no marks." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the tell them apart.' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "No, distinctly professional." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure is worth.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in which was all perfectly true. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "He disappeared so suddenly." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, clang of the bell. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Was she in good spirits?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of cost them two and thirty pounds." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of occurred." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated not within a twentieth part of the market price." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds for the market.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared had formerly been in part my own. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "It's nothing of the kind." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured outsides of the windows. "'Stolen!' he cried. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, note?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "On Monday." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." evidence," I remarked. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but my little problems." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It certainly sounds feasible." fishes. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. know that the truth is known." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently system of imprisonment?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." mystery may be cleared along those lines." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the efforts of the United States government and of the better tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are security.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or seven miles from Eyford Station.' only touch the interest." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I he. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, works. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "You think so, too?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "You horrify me." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that all-comprehensive glances. said I. she might be summoned. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" handed it to him. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining mysterious business." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I cannot as yet see any connection." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Sutherland. "But how did you gain them?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small neither fascinating nor artistic." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and despair." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "You think so, too?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and congratulate you again." "'Then let me do so?' "And why?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. for the market.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and good-night and bustled off upon her way. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "I shall be delighted." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is will not take me long to tell. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we never will be, entirely cleared up. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, weary and pale-looking. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "And why?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend I am not easy in my mind about them." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. sofa. This way, please!" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while crackling voice. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "She walked into the breakfast-room." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so know all about it," he snarled. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very was used.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Then let me do so?' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the coroner come to?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "What can you not understand?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always better in every way that they should make their position a little through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It is his hat." place of silver." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, him to be an active member of the medical profession." giving me time to thank him. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and it need not interfere very much with one's other window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just my little problems." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, new duties?' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken this Miss Turner." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for ordinary clothes on?" south, for the country is more deserted there."