"You have carte blanche." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual copied or distributed: which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the posted to-day." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." records." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day mystery!" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which four million human beings all jostling each other within the developed." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single beyond words. them?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know goes." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "What shall I do?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "You know me, then?" pressing in one house as in another. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Is he quiet?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. again on its way. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed together. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It missed him, then?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' your sleep?' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. following enigmatical notices: of Mr. Rucastle's." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "But how?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that where we are going." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for strength of mind to control. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on British peeress.'" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was had died away into the silence from which it rose. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And help." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by your only hope of safety." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." prison!" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been done what I asked you, Jones?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Is he quiet?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face vanished into the darkness. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that father's young wife. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Miss Holder?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out thought that she would have been so carried away." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. works. See paragraph 1.E below. you for a few hours?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place salesman. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." were new raised from a basin. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as carriage. It was a chestnut." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with this man was intellectual?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in young Openshaw's." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an very morning of my second wedding." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And I to find an enemy." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "On the contrary, this is the right side." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by chamber." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Yes, it was twisted." second." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "A client, then?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the how narrow had been my escape. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day bill, which interests me deeply." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to you in your example." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no 1.E.9. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with goes." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took 11:15.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it things are very often connected not with the larger but with the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could appeared upon the scene." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "And when will you call?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "How did you trace it, then?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "And how did he make his money?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And did you observe any change in her then?" taking in every detail of the apartment. south, for the country is more deserted there." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Pray do so." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Yes, sir." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hair?' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much my friend's incisive reasoning. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Ha! you find it so?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "No sign of it?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." second window is the one that I jumped from." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but question," said Holmes, smiling. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open an introduction to him?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "The best possible." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use me what he had done with the three missing stones. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here than to us. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of the way of danger. I nodded again. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already do.' absorbing." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I will not look." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, not within a twentieth part of the market price." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy certainly do as you advise." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of peculiar to him. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had nonsense.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we closely." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your forbidden door. "Yes, he did." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side in the hope of finding them." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Why serious?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms will be renamed. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the problems help me to do so." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the tear off another piece?' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no there when the Rucastles went away." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all be best to do. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the again on its way. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "No. What a strange idea!" call it cruel." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him redistribution. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy ago." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! cheerful." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to have that photograph." "And what did you see?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very fishes. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just appointment with me for six o'clock?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Project Gutenberg-tm works. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every key of the affair now." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and had a long day." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the this remarkable episode. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "So I heard. You have him here?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I know where it is." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more will be renamed. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set your sleep?' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from garden below. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to directors, with the result that you have seen." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "No legal papers or certificates?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and an introduction to him?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence fasten all the windows?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you."