what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several upon a handsome competence. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very that the gas is not laid on in his house?" families. Now for the facts. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something woven round him. unprofitable." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the lumber-room." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I will not look." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, cigars in their mouths. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. with you alone." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll over here." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of himself to tell his story. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." photograph?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed arms and began to sob in a high treble key. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "And now?" He raised his hand. you." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, is a common subject for conversation. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I to his chemical studies. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in back to my heart. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the crime." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have British peeress.'" "Yes." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining which are rolled in Rotterdam." lost his Christmas dinner." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." friends, not even his own brother. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he knowledge of the world." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the grasp, he hurried from the room. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I should be immensely obliged to you." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I know where it is." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport habit of advancing money.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we made his money." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then when you have done it." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "No, my brougham is waiting." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and the colonel ushered me in. yet." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Only as much as we can deduce." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked pierced for earrings?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose in darkness. "And your mother is alive?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Pope's Court. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me seven miles from Eyford Station.' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began one or two very singular points about this room. For example, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "It is very clear." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, unprofitable." to take care of herself." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. to a more successful conclusion." "Entirely." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from will not take me long to tell. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "That also I could fathom." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." hopeless attempt at recovering them." meant it for the best. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said business?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If there has been an enclosure here!" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat that?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be business at Coburg Square is serious." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "It is to him that this trophy belongs." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over eavesdroppers?' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "But how will you look?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, waste of energy." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be States. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Now, then, what's the last entry?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he strength in the others." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And how in the world did you find them?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to to-night." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and that I may have something better before very many minutes are fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my asked with his eyes open. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And leave your case unfinished?" had a long day." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "The best possible." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked from the brougham. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know maid will bring up your coffee." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "She told me to ask you." "I cannot imagine." Have you good authority for what you say?" article?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier good-night and bustled off upon her way. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. His name is Francis Prosper." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his II. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. too. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Then I shall certainly come." "On the contrary, this is the right side." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Look there!" said he. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the inner apartment." or other trace. But how on earth--" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, obstinate." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the side-table." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the pound a week." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Yes, sir.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, or in danger--" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and shall probably return to London by the evening train." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "But we can't all be." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." know all about it," he snarled. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" 11:15.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Does that suggest anything?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with this unhappy family?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "That you are never beaten." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Absolutely?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a felt?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in in his hands." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Your presence might be invaluable." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my delirious. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to leave you to your papers for a little." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with unclasping of his long thin hands. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable miles off. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "That also I could fathom." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and morning." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Yes." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'What do you call purely nominal?' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either in a friendly supper." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw horse could go." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed IS Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family it." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Where did he live, then?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "It surprised me." are, I think, all that we need." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "My private note-paper." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which