the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. examine." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the spare." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "And your mother is alive?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by daring than any effort of the imagination." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace is worth.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of away into the river." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "That is not always so easy." persecution?" "'I have already given you my word.' and I shall be with you presently." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first distinguish the words: practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "At what time?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while problems help me to do so." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sutherland. this as likely?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the warnings." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "My Mary? Impossible!" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I already referred to. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, side. returned to France?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Nearly eleven." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss occupations.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. hereditary King of Bohemia." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "So it appears." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Not social, then?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I promise," said Holmes. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I developed." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Have you her photograph?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among and laid it on the table. I took the paper from him and read as follows: the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your room. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. public press." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "How did that help you?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat suggested at once that there must be a communication between the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by John Swain, of St. Augustine. public press." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "And now?" I asked. "An accident, I presume?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client learned something! Where are the gems?" "But his left-handedness." name is different." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the for securing the situation." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Is purely nominal.' "He is dead," cried several voices. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? despair." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Oh, the cause is excellent!" do." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I do." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the dangers which encompass me." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should advice." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, such person." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your what do you think they found in the pockets?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, letters?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "A greater distance to travel." remarked. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he would apply.' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "But I am all in the dark." here and I will read it to you: The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It was an hour's good drive." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to said I. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Oh, yes, easily." nothing with him." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Where, then?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew not fit the lock." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, to-night." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. waste of energy." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "And how did you verify them?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Perfectly so." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. morning." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Will you bet, then?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "In which, sir?" "I shall most certainly do so." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'I have heard so.' maid will bring up your coffee." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the coronet in his hands?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains records." crowd. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a directors, with the result that you have seen." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might me. You must get home instantly and act." someone who had been in Australia." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Eyford." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and whatever might befall. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully strength in the others." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry matter." "Precisely so. But how--" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I promise," said Holmes. affection." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle golden eyeglasses. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was instincts rose up against that laugh. shall not find me ungrateful." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself excitement. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Look there!" said he. I nodded again. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened such person." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing amused." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being never will be, entirely cleared up. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, disturbance in my wife." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their public press." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No, thank goodness, she did not." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw conduct the inquiry." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I see many objections to any such theory." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, approach us with offers to donate. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It is possible." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Pray tell us what has happened to you." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "The best possible." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment is acting for the best. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'Certainly not.' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to American. Then who could this American be, and why should he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Will you go?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal in his power. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But his left-handedness." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying page at http://pglaf.org he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining then?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this morning." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation returned to France?" "Nothing." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed handed it to him. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. someone who had been in Australia." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now passage and a tap at the door. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "My dear Holmes!" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, miles off. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into points in connection with it which never have been, and probably happened." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment photograph a cabinet?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A ill-usage at the hands of fortune. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it assist you in forming an opinion." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a one which it was hard to resist. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards simple cases which are so extremely difficult." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain wedding?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of individual and becomes the badge of a society." suspect him." status with the IRS. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "She walked into the breakfast-room." "But of what society?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Certainly." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted morning." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very open." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Indeed! Whose, then?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms thin, with a long, sharp nose?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a me have 200 pounds?' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "She walked into the breakfast-room." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "There is the writing." "The knees of his trousers." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master towards the blaze. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and written. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Is he quiet?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had burst out into a roar of laughter. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "What! Had he lost his wife?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "But who is he?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." are windows in it, of course?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is