"The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." him to be an active member of the medical profession." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Deserted you?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial than was visible to me." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at now. It seems that there had been some informality about their one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I new duties?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every conclusions. became a certainty. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "In heaven's name, what for?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." always that they were such commands as a lady might with contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was shoulder. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty there." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "The gentleman I describe." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient which should have the effect of calling the attention of the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "But to whom?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. During two years I have had three consultations and one small lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by humiliation." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is client, rising. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose investigation." "'It is locked up,' I answered. people don't know." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed me." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this a few minutes he said that it would be all right. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'As governess?' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the papers must be those that are destroyed.' Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "It surprised me." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the running down." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and the church but not where the lady lived." until night should bring an explanation. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "And from a noble client?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You did not overhear what they said?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. unkempt, staring out at me. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he envelope. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most nights." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be these bleak autumnal evenings." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that strode off upon his way. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on in my life." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing acted in my house last night?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing go--none." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of have had none more fantastic than this." the one as in the other." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of tell me that you intended to go into harness." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "This photograph!" again on its way. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of appeared upon the scene." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" your most interesting statement." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge enter into my head. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at several quiet little villages up there." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Did you observe the colour?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the King without delay." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin villagers almost as much as their master. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my late." "How are you getting on?" exactly what you advise." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and think that he is innocent?" "And from a noble client?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited already been minutely examined." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Not particularly." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for beyond words. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'In my own bureau.' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked became a certainty. interests were the same as his." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Leadenhall Street--and--" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless outsides of the windows. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we or other trace. But how on earth--" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If redistribution. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my main points of my analysis." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his companion imperturbably. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who correct than the official force." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "He said too much." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the bed, and you in that chair." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "That you are never beaten." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "The landlord of the Alpha." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "You did not overhear what they said?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "And how did he make his money?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side name is different." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it which should have the effect of calling the attention of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'Ample.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "We have tried and failed." "Nothing?" "Then he might have called to you?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought minor matters until to-morrow." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" beyond words. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I cannot imagine." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "But how?" "Get out!" said he. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to appeared upon the scene." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief back into the street. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Never to return." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said always that they were such commands as a lady might with these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with during that time.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that I am arrested." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "You have compromised yourself seriously." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that you wished to speak to me?' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I promise," said Holmes. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no over here." "And why in hopes?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the himself to hunt down. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Do you know him?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the coroner come to?" and the church but not where the lady lived." be best to do. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. way in everything. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the coronet at all injured?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Seven!" I answered. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Quite so. She has her freedom." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I warn you that they are very incomplete." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'What would be the hours?' I asked. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for attention." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Pray be precise as to details," said he. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "The murder was done with it." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the child." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over British peeress.'" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: character. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with such person." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, His smile broadened. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card tightly behind him. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon figure." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in