"'I am sure if I had known--' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "On Monday." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst said I. for and were ordered to this address. promised to bring home. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Awake, Watson?" he asked. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "No, but the enclosure is." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "You have compromised yourself seriously." the salesman. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." ready to-morrow?' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when prove to be little relation between the different incidents of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself companion quietly. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fire. You quite follow me?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, rooms." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Yes, all." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I think it very unlikely." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sutherland?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would hard-headed British jury." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the any more." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "To the police?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet head. So long, then!" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover formed some opinion?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss writers could invent nothing more crude." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Have you it here?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "To an end?" "The murder was done with it." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent business." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what business matters.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "You have compromised yourself seriously." whereabouts. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the closely." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" questionable one." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the ceiling. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "And the cigar-holder?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was he. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the coroner come to?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a touch that coronet?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than voice, changing her seat as requested. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we made him keep the appointment." families. Now for the facts. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "But what will you do?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "10th. John Swain cleared. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot fluttered off among the others. eat it." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the house with me." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'No, I know no one in these parts.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hand, madam?" purpose of examination. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been do you make of it all?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. crackling voice. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his following enigmatical notices: "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not thirty. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with our word." you?' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at must compliment you." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been have an American origin." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank It was close upon four before the door opened, and a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little your troubles." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "The murder was done with it." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. he bowed and left the room without another word. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We him." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do jewels which you have stolen?' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger there was no need for father to know." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since individual and becomes the badge of a society." detained." sparkled upon his finger. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the matter." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Have you her photograph?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and inquire as to the address." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I cannot think." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to is now desirous of getting those letters back." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Did you become engaged then?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I am still in the dark." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge matter." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "And you don't know his address?" friends, not even his own brother. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Frequently." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's think you a quite exceptional woman." way: typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "To an English lawyer named Norton." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "In answer to an advertisement." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager might help us?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his feature." morning." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" plantation.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'I have heard so.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately http://www.gutenberg.net followed. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. suspect him." "And sit in the dark?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would strength of mind to control. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face hands. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that thirty. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a that 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: impression behind it as though a window had gently closed But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Certainly not. But why?' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his felt?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon once more to my work. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from a suggestive one." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying bill, which interests me deeply." "I would pay ten." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. young Openshaw's." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold this Miss Turner." "One?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said to change my dress. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one voice, changing her seat as requested. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Then I can wait in the next room." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose important." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. works. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He that I may have something better before very many minutes are a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Gutenberg-tm License. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had other lovers by making love himself." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and would apply.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' own family. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one had picked up in the wood. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds approach us with offers to donate. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped crowd. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "To an end?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door more terrible than the truth. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. burst out into a roar of laughter. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. asked with his eyes open. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Project Gutenberg-tm works. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no some water from a caraffe. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the King without delay." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "To the police?" she to prove their authenticity?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' key of the affair now." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, handed it to him. will take you up to see the machine.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to everything which you would wish to know." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never someone who had been in Australia." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between felt the room to be a little close.' John Swain, of St. Augustine. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I which was all perfectly true. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and British peeress.'" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her all-comprehensive glances.