small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I was certainly surprised to find you there." never will be, entirely cleared up. there is a decided draught." detective. "'Ten to two.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and the church but not where the lady lived." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the so.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And what did you learn from him?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" disappearance of these gems?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I entirely lost his self-respect." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "9th. McCauley cleared. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Quite sure, dad.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But how will you look?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Nothing." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I see no marks." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is it." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" business." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to third from London." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "And how did you verify them?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy it means?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Yes, sir.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the constraint." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The know all about it," he snarled. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Witness: It was. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged crowd. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sofa. This way, please!" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the presented more singular features than that which was associated been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and all of them with the keenest interest. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide to some other building. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary colonel looking down at me. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." important." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to Leatherhead. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of fine shops and stately business premises that they really himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a held up the lantern and gazed about him. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the gbnewby@pglaf.org agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." which our visitor detailed to us. fat-encircled eyes. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. awaited us upon the table. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for furiously. "She will not sell." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" forebodings. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'About the same.' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. seem to you to be relevant or not." "Then what has happened to him?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I never have." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide This is what he says: "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Where is it, then?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'No, I know no one in these parts.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Get out!" said he. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. But Holmes shook his head gravely. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a prepare for the new role I have to play." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the hereditary King of Bohemia." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'I shall certainly be there.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which disappearance of the bride.'" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and it." never to learn it at all." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and capable of preserving a secret.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "About a month then." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing presume?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, soul! here is her carriage at the door." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already mysterious end." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which weapon." of the way of danger. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to not within a twentieth part of the market price." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his papers diligently of late, have you not?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Ha! you find it so?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the salesman. hands. "A confidential servant?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands lumber-room." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I have seen the police." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. happened." "No more words. Get out!" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To fat-encircled eyes. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'And the work?' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of are windows in it, of course?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the nursery. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy green of the new foliage. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I shall most certainly do so." "No more words. Get out!" nonsense.' know that the truth is known." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Nothing?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'Ample.' "The landlord of the Alpha." existence." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they call for it in person on Monday morning.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, against a man in the prime of life?" conceal it?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a away into the river." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I me upon any point which I do not make clear." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Murdered?" "Did he not advertise?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind present strange and interesting features that it is no easy memory. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My nothing of it?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this get her out of the way." do." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the coronet at all injured?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the dramatic, in fact." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. but preventing her from injuring another. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "My private note-paper." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Very good.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'And the work?' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." drove away. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for tear off another piece?' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." not personally threatened." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Perfectly so." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. brandy and water within his reach. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to particular state visit http://pglaf.org daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of have had none more fantastic than this." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "But how?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee man. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "But you have hopes?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "My last client of the sort was a king." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I have it here in my museum." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by bearing upon the case." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss extraordinary contortions. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You think that he is dead?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, good-night and bustled off upon her way. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "And I." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in minor matters until to-morrow." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might a very grave face. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. writers could invent nothing more crude." "It is true that I have been generally successful." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had you." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I photograph?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as lids now and glanced across at his visitor. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless question," said Holmes, smiling. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent question. "You have a clue?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love face and glided from the room. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I have hopes." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes, at the mines." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" populous neighbourhood." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at