"You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "No sign of it?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we floor. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And your father? Did you tell him?" "None." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Absolutely none." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Did you observe the colour?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And on what day did he meet his death?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical pressing in one house as in another. "It is very clear." cost them two and thirty pounds." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. handed it to him. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for said he at last. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. undoubtedly my uncle's." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Who was the criminal, then?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call be.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Why did you pick him?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Sutherland. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now directly by questioning you." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he his face which made him a very different person to the round, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the long narrative. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was coat-tails." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee upon the sideboard." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Nothing." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Murdered?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Get out!" said he. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded wedding?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate know all about it," he snarled. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him get her out of the way." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as test if we have an answer to our advertisement." them?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, certainly not very gracious." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "What then?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "And why?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'There is a drive, then?' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at once more to my work. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." voice. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself them?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but companion. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing indeed which he could not unravel. south, for the country is more deserted there." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "But how did you gain them?" "I will, Miss Turner." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fled together." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom brandy and water within his reach. "Perfectly so." "How are you getting on?" fled together." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are there when the Rucastles went away." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to indiscretion." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little appeared upon the scene." interest. They are important, you understand, without being crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I say it is." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "But I am all in the dark." new duties?' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'I am sure if I had known--' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And now?" He raised his hand. were new raised from a basin. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Why? What do you mean?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "What steps will you take?" I asked. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Pool. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and looked back. evidence," I remarked. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fashion which was peculiar to him. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a them?" "Her father is very rich?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to evidence," I remarked. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. tension within him. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did into the bag, and made for the door. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had once more to my work. gone. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the populous neighbourhood." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, breakfast." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? will he say when he returns?" any more." had a long day." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Pray do so." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." retorted upon me, and I on you." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the ceiling. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the your most interesting statement." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I was mad--insane." success. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'I shall certainly be there.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do least a most suspicious remark." "And when will you call?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "One?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, there!' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Here?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought British peeress.'" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of infinite languor in his face. of the one which your family is now devouring." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'In my own bureau.' "And it is--" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I have hopes." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you." may have an influence upon European history." "Perfectly so." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I should be immensely obliged to you." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in whatever might befall. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which just ask you whether you had heard it.' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources everything which you would wish to know." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's throat." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and inquire as to the address." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little that you saw all that I did." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature His smile broadened. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "So it appears." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to call for it in person on Monday morning.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and I shall be with you presently." "It was." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he seem to you to be relevant or not." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking despair." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior approach us with offers to donate. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Is 4 pounds a week.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the night.' said he. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "It came here." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself sentimental considerations in the background which would induce it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in maid will bring up your coffee." what is your own theory as to what took place?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out over part of the map. "What do you read?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, you." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "And Miss Sutherland?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "My Mary? Impossible!" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. I have it here in my museum." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in him." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I should like to see him very much." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at been deceived." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Then, how do you know?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive coroner's jury." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his coat-tails." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'I shall certainly be there.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I will, Miss Turner." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" placed his cuttings. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "My opinion is in no way altered." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy tear off another piece?' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "To the police?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "This photograph!" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Gutenberg-tm License. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Project Gutenberg-tm works. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business handed it to him. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case could gather together that I was able to avert another public death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her despair." was shining brightly. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is than to us. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, during that time.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been we went to search for him, face downward in a little do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "But you have hopes?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a foot. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,