conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that you can jump it.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But to whom?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are at a side door. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." open." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "What is it?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "But how?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' already referred to. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin of receipt of the work. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Do you know him?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going back alive. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "You have a clue?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so but preventing her from injuring another. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird depend upon my doing so.' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the tragedy. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "What is it, then--a fire?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Won't it ring?" guilty one." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. lost his Christmas dinner." in a friendly supper." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds matter over." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of them has the shutters up.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are it." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up where we are going." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Witness: It was. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do yourselves in at night?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of was it brought him the coronet? We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Then what has happened to him?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked fluttered off among the others. bell. Holmes whistled. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though photograph a cabinet?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under in a friendly supper." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, existence." house for five minutes.' "But the mystery?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No them?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I nodded to show that I had heard. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and the church but not where the lady lived." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to as this. Pray let me have the details." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the dangers which encompass me." "'What then?' I asked. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She The King stared at him in amazement. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "My photograph." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left clanging. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "And help." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Perfectly so." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as through." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in instincts rose up against that laugh. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Which dealer's?' my special province." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend wedding?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "You forget that I know nothing about it." "On Monday." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Surrey." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, redistribution. society." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing society." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in them present such singular features as the strange train of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You know me, then?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. notes," he said. "Then how many are there?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Eyford." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." our word." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't heavy and sharp instrument." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my better in every way that they should make their position a little Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I held the little printed slip to the light. to have been novel and of interest." "Yes, certainly." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for suggested at once that there must be a communication between the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, conceal it?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." up this clue while it is still hot." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I answered that I had not. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should spare." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Sutherland. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see more solid." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this side. "But how?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in papers diligently of late, have you not?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "That also I could fathom." "Where is it, then?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated felt?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And how have you succeeded?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. rose-bushes. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "No." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "No, my brougham is waiting." there when the Rucastles went away." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I will do it." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I will not look." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have things are very often connected not with the larger but with the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "He disappeared so suddenly." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far said he at last. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away at a side door. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might my friend's incisive reasoning. "I came to find a friend." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City than to us. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I respectable self." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of receipt of the work. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and it need not interfere very much with one's other slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still things are very often connected not with the larger but with the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. seem to you to be relevant or not." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying beg that you will break it off." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He just called myself is not exactly my own." "Certainly, madam." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I say that I have solved it." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large any little problem which you may submit to me." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Which are?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. pierced for earrings?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "But she could not love him." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I shall continue with my miserable story. jewels which you have stolen?' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, come either from the window or the door. My attention was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his ashen face. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "He is dead," cried several voices. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I shall continue with my miserable story. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Won't it ring?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Was the window open?" ashen face. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a woman." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our brought there to personate someone, and the real person is across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Certainly." forecastle of an emigrant ship. ways of our fellow-men." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Not I." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "What is it, then--a fire?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her His name is Francis Prosper." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, sufficient punishment." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "How did you deduce the select?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to individual and becomes the badge of a society." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting."