"They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Very truly yours, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'And what salary do you ask?' most interesting one." indeed happy." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after husband's writing, madam." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, strong and stiff." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I am about to be married." direction." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and entirely lost his self-respect." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed you." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Street. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was asked with his eyes open. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and it need not interfere very much with one's other America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Mary, has deserted me." about. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I fear not." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small appeal." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and have this put in the evening papers." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and who was a member of your goose club." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." sooner or later she must fall a victim. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "BALLARAT." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Nearly eleven." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "She told me to ask you." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any respectable self." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in companion imperturbably. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary straighten it?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to surprise her." "And now?" I asked. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Dr. Becher's." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can matters immensely." License. You must require such a user to return or very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly became a certainty. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my as yours." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I IS at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the how narrow had been my escape. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from London for the present?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she works. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Yes, it would be as well." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock when your master had gone out." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the bed, and you in that chair." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in a very precise fashion." fatally injured? Munro.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "No sign of it?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way figure." "It missed him, then?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. sake, don't!" "Breckinridge is his name." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my secret was safe in his possession. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever wife's character?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "How did you deduce the select?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "How are you getting on?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "But you were on a friendly footing?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester made his money." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you tied." "Yes, that is the Crown." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You have but to name it." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to papers must be those that are destroyed.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my you want, then?' them present such singular features as the strange train of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and in one or two places in England?' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I was not a bird to be seen there. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, recover the gem." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, yes, easily." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious danger is over." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Then, how do you know?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police business?" lamp. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? mystery!" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect national property. I was determined that the law should have its Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in comes from the middle window." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the correct than the official force." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the outbreak?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you nice household for a young lady." there in twenty minutes." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Two days later this same performance was gone through under ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "How did he come?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now thirty. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the writers could invent nothing more crude." Chief Executive and Director glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in train from Paddington which would bring you there at about tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' upon the white wrist. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was forehead. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." system of imprisonment?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the salesman. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt of the vacancies.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I families. Now for the facts. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their happened." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of in his power. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Is purely nominal.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until business matters.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own neither fascinating nor artistic." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always depend upon your compliance." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Precisely so. But how--" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "And Miss Sutherland?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You horrify me!" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste round with crates and massive boxes. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and files of the old papers, following the future career of every ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "He might." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the bottom.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry main points of my analysis." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and laid it on the table. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Stolen." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of the one which your family is now devouring." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "My private note-paper." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage words came to my lips. "But I have heard all that you have heard." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said union?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you arrangements." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in desk. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to said I. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my was shining brightly. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well village inn over there?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography My friend smiled. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for peculiar to him. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake throat." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive asked with his eyes open. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the late!' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "'Certainly not.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It certainly sounds feasible." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Of Friday, June 19th." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Certainly." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, is acting for the best. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, prison!" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Murdered?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. will be renamed. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows was lame." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds following enigmatical notices: and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Witness: I must still refuse. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a of Fenchurch Street." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of particular state visit http://pglaf.org the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and dramatic, in fact." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." do you make of it all?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you