wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I am armed." might help us?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "But he might be a bachelor." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, I was concerned in it." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not appointment with me for six o'clock?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten heavy and sharp instrument." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad made his money." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Stoke Moran?" said he. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too or in danger--" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to not within a twentieth part of the market price." said I. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed this remarkable episode. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the you in yours." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'Certainly not. But why?' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. with some details as to your case." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Literary Archive Foundation connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either forehead. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could I am not easy in my mind about them." "How can you tell that?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was chambers. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I am sure." second window is the one that I jumped from." Have you good authority for what you say?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they instincts rose up against that laugh. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Only as much as we can deduce." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to a more successful conclusion." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And how did you find out?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." leave you to your papers for a little." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at fishes. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Then I am your man." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress acquaintance?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "On the contrary, this is the right side." gbnewby@pglaf.org "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "What have you to say now?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of you." "I see no marks." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent clanging. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His he bowed and left the room without another word. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "And help." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired fattened it expressly for you.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hardly wander." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I will get her to show me." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Edgeware Road. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Murdered?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are have got?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." in the hope of finding them." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Again Holmes raved in the air. thirty. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Come in!" said he. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and empty. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Imitated." desk. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching more terrible than the truth. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, province." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "No bad?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "It is half-past ten now." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "The rest you will leave in our hands." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in meant it for the best. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell his forehead." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a monotonous occupation." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered a very grave face. a good hundred miles off by now." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which that you can jump it.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Which surely he restored to their owner?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling that he has suffered." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the question," said Holmes, smiling. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be stood on the top of it. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the straightened it out again. opened the door, and slipped through. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Entirely.' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "My last client of the sort was a king." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the questioning and rather startled gaze. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback to change my dress. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I promise," said Holmes. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the business matters.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the do." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I fear not." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water himself to tell his story. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague some terrible trap for her." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." purpose of examination. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face fishes. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some of the vacancies.' Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to not come at once?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat minor matters until to-morrow." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Project Gutenberg-tm works. not fit the lock." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It is possible." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. formed some opinion?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was was used.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Who was the criminal, then?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight since then to throw any light upon what became of him." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "In heaven's name, what for?" "But what will you do?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle information in his hands the value of which he did not himself As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, persecution?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, ceremony." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a during which he might have communicated with his friend the he. ordinary clothes on?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "May I see it?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every handed it to him. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Arthur Conan Doyle "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "We have tried and failed." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office it. think that he is innocent?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. him to go away.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "How about poison?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a second." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need it with his own hands." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "My dear Holmes!" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Thank you. Pray proceed." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lamp. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried fish-monger and a tide-waiter." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, your Highness to the police-station?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a discontent upon his features. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the chair. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in important." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "No, distinctly professional." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez States. do." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. tell me that you intended to go into harness." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Of Friday, June 19th." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Have you good authority for what you say?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Holmes. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the highly," said Holmes. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it shall use the carriage to-night." "I will do it." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant ceremony." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Pool. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his