"The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "The King of Scandinavia." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Ha! you find it so?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, about here speaks of his kindness to him." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying before, for it was considerably after midnight. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the matter?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I ordinary clothes on?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a forecastle of an emigrant ship. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the best detective that ever lived. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the my secret was safe in his possession. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a brain must have something in it." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" companion. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be mystery!" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. out." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of the vacancies.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "And you thought he was pulled back?" and inquire as to the address." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his detective. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning least a most suspicious remark." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I shall be delighted." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, third from London." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Of Friday, June 19th." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, fresh and glossy." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "My dear Holmes!" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." it were putty." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the get the tickets." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, cup of tea. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful outsides of the windows. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "My opinion is in no way altered." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it once more. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord footfalls from the street. once more for Briony Lodge. clang of the bell. wedding?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle which we had just quitted. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were over part of the map. "What do you read?" absorbing." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "My opinion is in no way altered." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "My photograph." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Heh?' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Of what day?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the ceiling. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and it need not interfere very much with one's other system of imprisonment?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered people don't know." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had This is what he says: aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest him nearly every evening." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much hair?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of important." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and the colonel ushered me in. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to room?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "And for present expenses?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the happened." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "What then?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Then, how do you know?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence amused." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and some terrible trap for her." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Who by?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Yes, it was twisted." "What office?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only breakfast." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Then he might have called to you?" "'What then?' I asked. here and I will read it to you: refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and gone. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and exactly what you advise." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who side. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "No more words. Get out!" "By all means." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the attention." as the one I chose?' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the union?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "It looks newer than the other things?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of the one which your family is now devouring." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to with the outside air!" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "And why in hopes?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I will do it." bare slabs of marble. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the loss of it. "I was afraid that you were engaged." to a more successful conclusion." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble served to weaken the effect. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "But his left-handedness." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal than to us. Project Gutenberg-tm works. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of receipt of the work. anything to do with the matter?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a your billet.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been bachelor.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" it." License. You must require such a user to return or beyond words. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to observed. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better tail." this poor creature." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" emerged. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he back alive. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that, and I came down." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Why serious?" "And how did you find out?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the coronet at all injured?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Holmes' room. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet bell. Holmes whistled. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "That's no good." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at gbnewby@pglaf.org cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." back into the street. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as other means.' "I should like to see him very much." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering delirious. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and stood on the top of it. hurried by. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Well?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa The summons was a brief and urgent one. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William