"If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch some water from a caraffe. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there what is your own theory as to what took place?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I wall." joking. a room. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the roots. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug vague figure huddled up in the darkness. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the devil!" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have to-night?" I asked. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate highly," said Holmes. "It is half-past ten now." congenial hunt. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking at a side door. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end tell me that you intended to go into harness." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "But you can know nothing of this?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is very kind of you." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a village inn over there?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never do.' annoyance, but no jest. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. look upon these things in a different way." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could some city in a dream. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the DAMAGE. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "And now?" I asked. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "How did that help you?" do.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to affect your life." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Perhaps I have." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger frequently gained my first real insight into the character of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Holmes." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning when you have done it." to have been novel and of interest." "It was an hour's good drive." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Have you good authority for what you say?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" dear old homesteads?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "What! a murderous attack?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "One of the highest in England." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean have accepted such a situation. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in dead, shall be safe with us." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which empty. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the extraordinary contortions. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I his huge brown hands. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. seem to you to be relevant or not." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which seen the man in the road." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "At the wedding breakfast." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And why?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The someone who had been in Australia." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." might help us?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Where does the thing come from?' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who bedroom door." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to said he. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. like that before?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I answered that I had not. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me burst into a hearty fit of laughter. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such again." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got over his head with a sweet womanly caress. quite distinctive." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I do." were unconscious?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "But not more so than I to find you." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Does that suggest anything?" colonel looking down at me. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I should be immensely obliged to you." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The there is a decided draught." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off hard-headed British jury." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's six. Come in!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He appeared upon the scene." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed go back?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "She walked into the breakfast-room." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the inner apartment." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing I have it here in my museum." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the The King stared at him in amazement. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever which was all perfectly true. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." what these perils are?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with overpowering excitement and concern. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed when you have done it." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to have that photograph." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be for and were ordered to this address. of Mr. Rucastle's." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, be.' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very grasp, he hurried from the room. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided infinite languor in his face. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would stammered. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Then I shall certainly come." them?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "But who is he?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to tackle the facts." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been you, my dear young lady?' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that has little to do with my story." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "The landlord of the Alpha." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and it need not interfere very much with one's other homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not one of them." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Nothing?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel carpenter." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we During two years I have had three consultations and one small with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a tapping his fingers upon the table. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Doctor, of the paper and the date." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it mysterious business." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. His name is Francis Prosper." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter dear old homesteads?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been morning." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous this man was intellectual?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner at once, for I have only half an hour." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon breakfast and whispered something to her husband. salesman. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his 'please.'" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "And for present expenses?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. narrative." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon with frightened eyes at his accuser. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "How did he come?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Yes, it would be as well." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Very much so." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "No, thank goodness, she did not." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Pool. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' chemical work which was so dear to him. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "On the contrary, this is the right side." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that he has suffered." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Why, what do you mean?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather very peculiar words of the dying woman?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in good for you to do.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" recover the gem." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "None. Neville wrote those words." "To the police?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Yesterday." Surrey." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." seem to you to be relevant or not." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed may have an influence upon European history." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were man. I know him from the photograph." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the outsides of the windows. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the that you can jump it.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'What then?' I asked. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was presume?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, hopeless attempt at recovering them." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." dramatic, in fact." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his least a most suspicious remark." outbreak?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." your troubles." narrative." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress