and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his crowd. this poor creature." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "And how in the world did you find them?" at a side door. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "No, I think that I'll take it." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last new acquaintance to Baker Street. do you make of it all?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in several quiet little villages up there." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be This is what he says: down. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And you thought he was pulled back?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up had this final quarrel? "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the to arrive at through this?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another call it cruel." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to of campaign. approach us with offers to donate. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in now. It seems that there had been some informality about their her also." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a both be extremely obliged.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Look there!" said he. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the been able to understand it, in a very few words. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. yet." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, such person." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second What do you deduce from it?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock call it cruel." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I came to find a friend." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of your young ladies.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, be best to do. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He take the flies, but not before." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements him. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "It certainly sounds feasible." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a an introduction to him?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Did your wife hear all this?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to guilty one." shall not find me ungrateful." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could public press." me." in the port of London." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned putting in the horse. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Why did you pick him?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Chief Executive and Director "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "What have you to say now?" then?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the shaken than I had ever seen him. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Pray continue your narrative." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." humiliation." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was that I am arrested." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I say it is." question. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "And is that all?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are gives a meaning to it." "Nothing." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It forehead. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie at my remark. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? galvanised. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." matters immensely." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and your bag." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is strength." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "What, then?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened might help us?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and that he would see to anything that turned up. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the spark where all is dark to me." "The knees of his trousers." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'There is a drive, then?' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Yes, the wine-cellar." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "We have tried and failed." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution delirious. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not my little problems." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to dead, shall be safe with us." to miss it." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she prepare for the new role I have to play." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which light and attacked it." get her out of the way." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It must be recovered." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "How about poison?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his into the bag, and made for the door. "Frequently." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most more solid." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I guessed as much." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of the way of danger. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Of Friday, June 19th." "Certainly." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must said he. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the answered with a sidelong glance. my special province." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "No." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible until night should bring an explanation. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Will you go?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Did you observe the colour?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good unprofitable." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes companion imperturbably. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it with his own hands." said he at last. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. could go. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Then, how do you know?" views." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and no precautions can guard against." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I cannot think." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the laugh and put his lips to my ear. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Where is it, then?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. your troubles." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Absolutely?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "None." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and put his glass in his pocket. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from confronted him. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "By all means." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic examine." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage could go. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "This photograph!" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock posted to-day." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. voice, changing her seat as requested. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "No more words. Get out!" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Eyford at 11:15.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the highly," said Holmes. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the London for the present?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all again." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through matters immensely." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Her father is very rich?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this writer." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project at my remark. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be where she found matters as described by the last witness. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "But how did you gain them?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography there in twenty minutes." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of." instincts rose up against that laugh. "And how did he make his money?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. tightly behind him. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "He is dead," cried several voices. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must of receipt of the work. back into the street. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom works. See paragraph 1.E below. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking at a side door. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the date of his supposed suicide." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but