pity, because in other respects you would really have done very opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of fine shops and stately business premises that they really inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must gone. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to tail." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." generous with you in money matters.' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "What I expected to see." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love relief. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes, from Horsham." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'I have heard so.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'About the same.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It is possible." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found like that before?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I answered that I had not. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically skylight. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the best of training." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to change my dress. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed front of me. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "But who is he?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress throat." "Very truly yours, deduce something from that?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'And the work?' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I think that I had better go, Holmes." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down held up the lantern and gazed about him. "No." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of the way of danger. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." important." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "May I see it?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his are, and they are waiting for us." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. gone. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of was a loud and authoritative tap. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Why, it's a dummy," said he. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been charged with?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, October 9, 1890. to-night?' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE acquaintance?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." you in yours." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" undoubtedly my uncle's." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes, he did." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. if only as a check to my own memory." it were putty." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to tell." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." clanging. followed. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "VIOLET HUNTER." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official future lives." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily girl said." you in your example." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away front of me. Holmes." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "My dear Holmes!" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. was a perfect sample of the class. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Can I be of assistance?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger she has been waylaid. There has been no result." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Will you bet, then?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in heavily into it. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Have you it here?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed lips." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will strode off upon his way. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rooms." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "And I." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down directors, with the result that you have seen." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I am still in the dark." careless servant girl?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever his wife has ceased to love him." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "It is possible." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in closely." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It like that before?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to you, my dear young lady?' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Will you bet, then?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sofa. This way, please!" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "But I have heard all that you have heard." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little enter Dr. Roylott's room." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note matters immensely." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Nothing." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It must be recovered." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary him to go away.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to as he remarks, very much against the son." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Murdered?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found John Swain, of St. Augustine. acted in my house last night?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a some terrible trap for her." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a status with the IRS. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "In the cells." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the skylight. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. nothing of it?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I which are rolled in Rotterdam." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your danger is over." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was once confined in the cab my mission was practically have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of for its centre. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I shall most certainly do so." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity nothing with him." I have it here in my museum." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "We have tried and failed." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Then, how do you know?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a bell. Holmes whistled. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, himself to tell his story. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the weary and pale-looking. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ordinary clothes on?" horse could go." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the south-west, I see." there." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Why did you beat the pavement?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while is acting for the best. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "You think that he is dead?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a chance at all." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. as he folded up the epistle. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three intimate personal affairs in this public manner." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood did not hear it also.' face and glided from the room. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you would apply.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was ran thus: Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab,