"You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank to miss it." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We open." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a face and glided from the room. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had it were putty." case-book, which he consulted. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Won't it ring?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Miss Holder?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. to a light-house. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Stoke Moran." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting presented which may be striking and bizarre without being pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "What! a murderous attack?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "How often?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, standing smiling on the door-step. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished throat." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah room. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to results." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "She told me to ask you." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I think that it is very probable." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering had died away into the silence from which it rose. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest I have it here in my museum." passage and a tap at the door. drove away. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "We have tried and failed." charged with?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I fear not." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few eat it." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought becomes even more simple." "And I say east," said my patient. "'Certainly,' I answered. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "But you can know nothing of this?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Yes, only one." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. public press." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It looks newer than the other things?" "So I heard. You have him here?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And the murderer?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no over part of the map. "What do you read?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this future lives." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of your Highness to the police-station?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'In my own bureau.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." him nearly every evening." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'I am sure if I had known--' ran thus: this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But to whom?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying business?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, place no limit on the sum I may draw." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about enough to aid us in our search." the inquest, and which are worth considering." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure there when the Rucastles went away." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly fuss that is made over them." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, your sleep?' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." leave you to your papers for a little." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I came to find a friend." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Whose house is it?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether dates and names. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from indiscretion." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing attention." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was not a bird to be seen there. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed fish-monger and a tide-waiter." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Pray be precise as to details," said he. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "And why?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Henry Baker is a member." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to go--none." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my never to learn it at all." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I cannot tell." "One of his hands." "He said that you could solve anything." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you not, dad?" she asked. and your relations to her." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "If I can be of use." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such prisoner's face. bled considerably." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to affect your life." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with will take you up to see the machine.' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the get the tickets." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' friends, not even his own brother. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm my little problems." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" dead, shall be safe with us." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric will find little credit to be gained out of this case." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Is 4 pounds a week.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and the colonel ushered me in. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his handed it to him. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I have solved it." McCarthy." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." have accepted such a situation. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other meanly of me." "By all means." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Yes, all." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for client, rising. "Yes, that is the Crown." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and more solid." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." gone. some water from a caraffe. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Yes, he did." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is fluttered off among the others. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the you in yours." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And leave your case unfinished?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Bought." vault. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." redistribution. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the photograph a cabinet?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is bedroom door." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Witness: I must still refuse. depend upon your compliance." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "You have carte blanche." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then open." newspaper selections." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been maiden herself was most instructive." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is with the outside air!" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to most interesting one." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "In what way?" asked Holmes. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which should have the effect of calling the attention of the had this final quarrel? late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it them?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. developed." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell companion. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low knowledge of the world." matters immensely." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!"