carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. my room." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Your presence might be invaluable." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him II. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "The best possible." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my frequently gained my first real insight into the character of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No. What a strange idea!" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "My dear Holmes!" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I begun to whiten, even as mine has." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady trifles." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if like gravel from a pit.' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a It may be so in this case, also." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." astonishment. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself flock.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "We must have a cab." "Was the window open?" and the whole place is in a blaze." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head in this way: her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up asked with his eyes open. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of fled together." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Stolen, then." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I should wish to." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "But how?" have I gained?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of man. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which once more for Briony Lodge. "By train from Waterloo." from you?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing this remarkable episode. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no considering the formidable letters which were received by himself they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. asked. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Precisely." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the nonsense.' Countess of Morcar's?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, tightly behind him. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and woven round him. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of business in the City. She little knew what. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the stable lane now." "Where did he live, then?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until with her." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church distance from the station, and there we found the young lady pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Nearly eleven." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "At half-wages, in fact." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I washing it down with a long draught of water. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is easy-going way." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is way: prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always colour had been driven from his face. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a o'clock is it?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Yes, certainly." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "It must be recovered." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "If so, much may have happened between." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "But I am all in the dark." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Not him." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my it were putty." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to you." "By train from Waterloo." "Holmes, the busybody!" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have in the hope of finding them." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its soul! here is her carriage at the door." not come at once?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Where is it, then?" think, you have already met." notes," he said. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Yes, all." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, following enigmatical notices: essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Indeed! Whose, then?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under details." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "No, finished." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' have an American origin." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little better grown goose." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small look upon these things in a different way." was keenly on my guard against him. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was quick march!" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "No, I am descending." following enigmatical notices: doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to surprise her." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the bottom.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I when you have done it." "Not in a good cause." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "We have tried and failed." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be were unconscious?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when cigar and let me expound." the Assizes." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe of the one which your family is now devouring." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sufficient punishment." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But death." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from been with you?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus detained." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Absolutely?" eavesdroppers?' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "A greater distance to travel." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon way in everything. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Well." roused himself from his reverie. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I am about to be married." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried to a more successful conclusion." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Will you go?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No, I think that I'll take it." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, wall." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I have my revolver," said I. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his our word." depend upon your compliance." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread in the dead of the night?' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough woven round him. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Will you go?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I know where it is." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Was she in good spirits?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Well, but China?" so.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, he did." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which helping a boy to put up the shutters. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I guessed as much." "No more words. Get out!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Could he throw no light?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Then what has happened to him?" Where does the thing come from?' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I approached. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you speckled band?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest walking." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To placed his cuttings. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is at once, for I have only half an hour." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it congratulate you again." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, than was visible to me."