that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the more terrible than the truth. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'And what salary do you ask?' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the begun to whiten, even as mine has." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so front of me. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You think that he is dead?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out someone who had been in Australia." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer weigh very heavily upon my conscience." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk His smile broadened. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at digesting their breakfasts at home." "I see many objections to any such theory." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us arms and began to sob in a high treble key. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I am armed." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman telegram would bring me down to your help." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, my room." out." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the people in all walks of life. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Nothing?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism suspect him." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, in the dead of the night?' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the side-table." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless tell me that you intended to go into harness." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, yet." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect was keenly on my guard against him. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous peculiar to him. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." shall use the carriage to-night." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It looks newer than the other things?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the voice, changing her seat as requested. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Seven!" I answered. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I cannot as yet see any connection." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle if I call to-morrow?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and village inn over there?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San excitement. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Get out!" said he. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the detained." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the house with me." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both again, where I was soon asleep. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "You have but to name it." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I was mad--insane." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and drawing your inferences." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "What have you to say now?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Will you bet, then?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Yes." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "You forget that I know nothing about it." fait accompli?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for come either from the window or the door. My attention was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I nonsense.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan there were so many in the whole country as were brought together used to be." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to ceremony." not as remarkable as your advertisement." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was it brought him the coronet? turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "And what did you learn from him?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker opportunities to fix the problem. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "You were travelling in the States?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Ten will be early enough." "Perfectly so." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. question," said Holmes, smiling. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any your most interesting statement." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hands. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." forecastle of an emigrant ship. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. lumber-room." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to Leatherhead. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "It must be recovered." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I cannot tell." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Absolutely none." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was this unhappy family?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. vault. of." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You have the photograph?" "Texas, I think." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle has little to do with my story." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution several quiet little villages up there." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the tension within him. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Why did you beat the pavement?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the thin legs towards the fire. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in have an American origin." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a until night should bring an explanation. photograph?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and prosperity to your house. Good-night." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Chief Executive and Director many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Pray let us have it, for all that." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached hour?' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and files of the old papers, following the future career of every shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hand, madam?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their door?" and all of them with the keenest interest. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Get out!" said he. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." details." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. during which he might have communicated with his friend the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." when your master had gone out." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You horrify me." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes. He waved his hands." "Well, but China?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Why did you pick him?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'I am sure that I do not know.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by *** START: FULL LICENSE *** could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate seen the man in the road." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps awaited us upon the table. this unhappy family?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'I am sure that I do not know.' carried out of court." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the fat-encircled eyes. fled together." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of take the flies, but not before." little adventures." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Yes." status with the IRS. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more miles off. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were you came in." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so made his money." himself. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would conceal it?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Gutenberg-tm License. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to tell." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you soul! here is her carriage at the door." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Ten will be early enough." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is which it had come upon my father." three fields round his house, and there he would take his wedding?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "And Irene Adler?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very never to learn it at all." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "My dear Holmes!" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases