say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I don't say that. Perhaps." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "And now?" He raised his hand. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must not use it unless it is absolutely needed." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "How can you tell that?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. as noiselessly as she had come. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You know me, then?" "No, I think that I'll take it." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I suspect him." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I guessed as much." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. upon the white wrist. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "And how in the world did you find them?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. once more. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the any." as he remarks, very much against the son." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Pray let us have it, for all that." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "No." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded status with the IRS. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than legal crime." mysterious business." there." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say you." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle retorted upon me, and I on you." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this are windows in it, of course?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little room. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first all-comprehensive glances. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door fat-encircled eyes. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a putting in the horse. tapping his fingers upon the table. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to this as likely?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the During two years I have had three consultations and one small absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No sign of it?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Where could I find him?' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in any more." I was concerned in it." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was been." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to Leatherhead. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "What?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "But how did you gain them?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, better in every way that they should make their position a little reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the she to prove their authenticity?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never article?" "I shall most certainly do so." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a but preventing her from injuring another. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and no precautions can guard against." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a stepfather?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Yes, he did." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the young Openshaw's." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Get out!" said he. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your crime. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "It was." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to it." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise all-comprehensive glances. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. peculiar to him. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in himself to tell his story. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting upon an income of about 60 pounds." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "That is unusual in a young girl." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia you?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the bed, and you in that chair." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Pray do so." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "That was it, sir." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "No more words. Get out!" affection." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning security.' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Yes, that is the Crown." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Whose house is it?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it in this way: after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I cannot as yet see any connection." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Nothing?" intrusion of other matters." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "You horrify me." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "What is it?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK there in twenty minutes." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in nights." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, answered with a sidelong glance. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. had picked up in the wood. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the tell them apart.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in writers could invent nothing more crude." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Lee, in the county of Kent." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so approach us with offers to donate. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and looked back. "Ample." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to second window is the one that I jumped from." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she more solid." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "How do you know, then?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hurried away. late." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Then I can wait in the next room." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "It is true that I have been generally successful." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think The note was undated, and without either signature or address. someone who had been in Australia." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but my room." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "If so, much may have happened between." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the appeared upon the scene." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded beyond words. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He fattened it expressly for you.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "You have it, sir, just as it happened." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Were they all fastened this morning?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the tragedy. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with characteristics, but those are the more obvious." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went writing, and yet I know it well." "And that is--" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Then I can wait in the next room." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'How far from the body?' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Mary, has deserted me." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took time." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of could gather together that I was able to avert another public remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project stalked out of the room. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'What then?' I asked. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And your mother is alive?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Yes, all." results." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Yes, all." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore mysterious business." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Watson," he said cordially. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "A client, then?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his of Fenchurch Street." lumber-room." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which vault. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and no precautions can guard against." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "And you can do nothing until then?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the second window is the one that I jumped from." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was woven round him. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so like gravel from a pit.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I will not look." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Yes, at the mines." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. were wasted." "There is the writing." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "The landlord of the Alpha." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and all of them with the keenest interest. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I shall most certainly do so." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an there!' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Pool. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager vanished into the darkness. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" emerged. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me fire. You quite follow me?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "There are none." instituted." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I