anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal locked. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to residence of the great financier. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Your presence might be invaluable." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual acquaintance?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Then what has happened to him?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and morning." woman." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you face and glided from the room. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten indeed happy." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "And your father? Did you tell him?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the on in his house." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "My photograph." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Why serious?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes, all." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the very letters. But what is this written above them?' at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have was already answered. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Have you good authority for what you say?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Upon what point?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to money should be paid at once.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon conversation I have gathered that they have been married about blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "And sit in the dark?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, man. I know him from the photograph." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very together. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "And I say east," said my patient. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, three of the beryls in it, was missing. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'Certainly not.' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I never have." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped good for you to do.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet off." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted events, Mr. Windibank!" "I came to find a friend." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "No." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "No more words. Get out!" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a must be when I saw the door open.' congenial hunt. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, flock.' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of receipt of the work. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I was certainly surprised to find you there." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am did not hear it also.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my presume?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "And how in the world did you find them?" it were putty." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the nursery. long narrative. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "My own seal." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" used to be." touch that coronet?' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. easy-going way." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the would then never go into court at all." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers his face which made him a very different person to the round, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three certainly not very gracious." "I am following you closely," I answered. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Here?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "A call for help, you thought?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, wedding?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among to Leatherhead. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the running down." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. advice." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid there in twenty minutes." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them results." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in amused." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Ha! you find it so?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Never to return." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof he bowed and left the room without another word. o'clock is it?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let his knees, staring into the fire. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was to-morrow." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as hand, madam?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. problems help me to do so." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Certainly." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I will do it." which our visitor detailed to us. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled door?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment was feeling which was the fattest.' said I. present." "No?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his has little to do with my story." voice, changing her seat as requested. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it in the port of London." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. me what he had done with the three missing stones. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right your equipment. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Ten will be early enough." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "One of his hands." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Seven!" I answered. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' has little to do with my story." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in started for the Temple to see my husband. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if before the coroner and the police-court." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for now. It seems that there had been some informality about their passage and a tap at the door. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I never have." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And when will you call?" what these perils are?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Game for a morning drive?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Absolutely?" nothing of it?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the roots. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's tell me that you intended to go into harness." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. there was no need for father to know." asked. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. keep the flames under. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Really! You surprise me." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Very good.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the inner apartment." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ourselves in the office." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'Then let me do so?' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. that you saw all that I did." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Very. But will he see it?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in at my remark. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so waste of energy." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When as yours." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Clair, of Lee." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be one's self under obligations.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is you give your casting vote to?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, following enigmatical notices: us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to you." absorbing." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "How did that help you?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "She showed me, as I told you she would." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "You have a clue?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. shoulder; "he's all right." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and capable of preserving a secret.' "On your arm?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he handed it to him. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from residence of the great financier. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. cost them two and thirty pounds." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must events than those which have happened in my own family." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were make me his representative both with the servants and with the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, had a long day." morning." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great