and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem was not a bird to be seen there. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," such person." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I am to be neutral?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "How did he come?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without formed some opinion?" call it cruel." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I himself. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I business in the City. She little knew what. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have burst into a hearty fit of laughter. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I do." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." morning." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how on re-entering her father's house?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the late." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "By train from Waterloo." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Holmes' face clouded over. "In what way?" asked Holmes. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I have solved it." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding 'please.'" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Your presence might be invaluable." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Well, it is a possible supposition." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. business?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin that I am arrested." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Well, but China?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Why did you beat the pavement?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or tear off another piece?' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the me. You must get home instantly and act." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." questionable one." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, upon the sideboard." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the loss of it. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use never came back." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Texas, I think." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. knowledge of the world." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror indeed which he could not unravel. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I am still in the dark." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." breakfast." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and your relations to her." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Absolutely?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes, from Horsham." Sutherland. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, him, that man would not have given me such complete information strength in the others." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "What I expected to see." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than letters?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Not social, then?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but them present such singular features as the strange train of union?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and you for a few hours?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present bonnet, and went out." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. you?' indiscretion." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard was feeling which was the fattest.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "But your client--" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Is he quiet?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his jewels which you have stolen?' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence room?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in the dead of the night?' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to-night." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; his huge brown hands. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! gigantic client. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "At half-wages, in fact." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "But I am all in the dark." have one." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "And is that all?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "None. Neville wrote those words." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was laugh and put his lips to my ear. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My could go. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of hour." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Well, some hundreds of times." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked see me here to avoid scandal." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so very old mansion. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and during that time.' went to the Alpha were town bred." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Pool. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I have come for advice." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its to have that photograph." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Then I shall certainly come." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of outsides of the windows. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Not social, then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the conduct the inquiry." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Certainly." yourselves in at night?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while future lives." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to his chemical studies. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And on what day did he meet his death?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'And what salary do you ask?' copied or distributed: "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "But how did you gain them?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared mysterious business." upon an income of about 60 pounds." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. results." people in all walks of life. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Game for a morning drive?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Where could I find him?' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if man. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" upon a handsome competence. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates of a light. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "You think that he is dead?" cigars in their mouths. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with whole matter to your consideration." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I came to find a friend." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Dr. Becher's." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of was a loud and authoritative tap. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Yes, from Horsham." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'What do you call purely nominal?' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Oh, yes, easily." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six fluttered off among the others. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon crowd. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'Stolen!' he cried. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional families. Now for the facts. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing with frightened eyes at his accuser. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of business." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Precisely." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Very well, sir. And this stone?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the spare." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It me." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Certainly not.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you said he at last. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Certainly." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Arthur Conan Doyle window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "To ruin me." "If so, much may have happened between." "Yes." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Never." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and the colonel ushered me in. "But what harm can there be in that?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever