down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of Fenchurch Street." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let said he. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the very morning of the wedding." hands. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking wanted for ourselves." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, night.' said he. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "A client, then?" new duties?' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the such attractions and accomplishments?' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I detained." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and glanced through. "Can I be of assistance?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "In the cells." This is what he says: "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have name is different." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Here?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and inquire as to the address." as noiselessly as she had come. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It is his hat." he. easy-going way." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the has little to do with my story." hands. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child note?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in front of me. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how is four-and-twenty." galvanised. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, there is a decided draught." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "The vanishing of the lady." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at wife's character?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know showing my impatience. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each closely." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Look there!" said he. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, infinite languor in his face. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, companion. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some wanted for ourselves." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Does that suggest anything?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point people in all walks of life. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "In which, sir?" noting anything else of interest. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a are windows in it, of course?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "And leave your case unfinished?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "The knees of his trousers." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I cannot say that I have." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful It may be so in this case, also." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "No." what do you think they found in the pockets?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of them has the shutters up.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank perplexity from it to my illustrious client. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And how did you verify them?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of green of the new foliage. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" for and were ordered to this address. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and friend's singular character. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Leadenhall Street--and--" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I cannot imagine." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she from you?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." weary and pale-looking. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Was he the only applicant?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who breakfast." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. forehead. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself shaken than I had ever seen him. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to tell." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "But she could not love him." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every take the flies, but not before." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very But Holmes shook his head gravely. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite morning." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Did your wife hear all this?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is tear off another piece?' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey success. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "He is still with you, I presume?" the matter." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to a more successful conclusion." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until looking up at the numbers of the houses." to-night?" I asked. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "In which, sir?" coat-tails." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some foot. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "10th. John Swain cleared. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I am to be neutral?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of hopeless attempt at recovering them." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which speckled band?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love laugh and put his lips to my ear. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, had this final quarrel? "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have families. Now for the facts. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very both be extremely obliged.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will troubles have been weighing upon his mind. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Where to?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and 11:15.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Never." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Then the page we have seen--" "You have a clue?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'About the same.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his matter." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same not interfere, come what may. You understand?" lost nothing by them." "No." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "We were both in the photograph." to arrive at through this?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Who by?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary place, I think that there is good ground to think that the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "But you have hopes?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Will you go?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' that you wished to speak to me?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a I shall communicate with you." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "What! You do not mean bodies?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "He is dead," cried several voices. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open lamp in his hand. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'As governess?' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I nodded again. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back just ask you whether you had heard it.' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent whatever might befall. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'It is locked up,' I answered. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." This is what he says: 11:15.' may have an influence upon European history." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My manager. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a delighted to hear it," he said. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Quite so." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'And the work?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'It is locked up,' I answered. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "It is possible." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his interest. They are important, you understand, without being wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes, the wine-cellar." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the dangers which encompass me." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many one else, I think." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not photograph?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and put his glass in his pocket. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me that he has suffered." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in them present such singular features as the strange train of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But you have hopes?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for over his head with a sweet womanly caress. directly by questioning you." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. wife's character?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Has he come with you to-night?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a outside. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Yes, only one." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the photograph?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return points to suicide?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of enough to aid us in our search." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "It is his hat." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an formed some opinion?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens mysterious end." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Then the page we have seen--" room had already been engaged for us. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. she used." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion plantation.' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "A confidential servant?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I know where it is." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." morning." towards the blaze. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly I nodded again. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'There is a drive, then?' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black