"In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'Certainly not. But why?' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will undoubtedly my uncle's." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very jewels which you have stolen?' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'What, the red-headed man?' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Quite so. She has her freedom." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "So it appears." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were cost them two and thirty pounds." ready to-morrow?' "You horrify me." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed chance." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. call for it in person on Monday morning.' not fit the lock." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I have solved it." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to was not a bird to be seen there. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence foresight and the moral retrogression?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes this truth that in these little records of our cases which you possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and looked back. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and the whole place is in a blaze." way: "I have a cab outside." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." at a side door. the matter?" of them has the shutters up.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and conceal it?" are windows in it, of course?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I interest. They are important, you understand, without being what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I cannot tell." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. remarked. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in past. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "What I expected to see." "Yes." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" nothing of it?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four secret." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you hurried away. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what enter into my head. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with will take you up to see the machine.' "And when will you call?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I say it is." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may south, for the country is more deserted there." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "What! a murderous attack?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the bed, and you in that chair." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It was." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And your mother is alive?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque 1.E.9. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a future lives." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I am all attention, madam." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of his shoulders. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "An enemy?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the hands. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Get out!" said he. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Then, how do you know?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "To an end?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in over with notes and figures. conduct the inquiry." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I will not look." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before easy-going way." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any be best to do. for the market.' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two beg that you will break it off." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall it with his own hands." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Then you may entirely rely on me." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the if she died from some sudden fright." "This photograph!" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's You want to know what became of those geese?" "Yes." strode off upon his way. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always works. See paragraph 1.E below. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Very good.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Literary Archive Foundation could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' happened." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom to arrive at through this?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do unkempt, staring out at me. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have read over the extraordinary announcement. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the loss of it. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. weighed down with some great anxiety. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to change my dress. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fluttered off among the others. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and again." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the had this final quarrel? there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan before, for it was considerably after midnight. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun humiliation." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work dead, shall be safe with us." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt my friend's incisive reasoning. whether it answered to the description of any of their keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I shall be delighted." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to your equipment. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where gone before you can get him to hospital." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a beyond words. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'Then let me do so?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the nights." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't giving me time to thank him. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'Yes, sir.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, little trying to do so much typewriting?" security.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was this remarkable episode. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the child." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than this remarkable episode. the little opening for the ventilator is." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You know me, then?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which presume?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Tired-looking or fresh?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was this man was intellectual?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are sofa. This way, please!" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right McCarthy's innocence. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he this Miss Turner." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Where, then?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" had this final quarrel? set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. any little problem which you may submit to me." cigar and let me expound." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, happened." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I his forehead." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There advice." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Here?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I cannot tell." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a are, and they are waiting for us." best detective that ever lived. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson stammered. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "But of what society?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." from you?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by highly," said Holmes. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid this remarkable episode. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. shall not find me ungrateful." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk depend upon your compliance."