"But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among garden below. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight in him." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But what is it you wish?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every will not take me long to tell. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all there!' "'Ample.' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Yes." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. colonel looking down at me. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and all of them with the keenest interest. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have see a sister of mine apply for." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, possible that we could bring him back to her? professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "An enemy?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the within hail.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "At what time?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and himself to tell his story. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the nursery. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on father's young wife. meant." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Holmes' room. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the so-precious time, but come!' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House my former friend and companion. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they a suggestive one." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a believe that I should never have any practice at all. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in hopeless attempt at recovering them." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" your billet.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of it." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I see no marks." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes, it would be as well." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which over part of the map. "What do you read?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the so-precious time, but come!' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his round with crates and massive boxes. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "By all means." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery touch that coronet?' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For subject to the trademark license, especially commercial look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different words came to my lips. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Yes, certainly." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be union?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by foresight and the moral retrogression?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. have an American origin." flock.' "One?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the undoubtedly my uncle's." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the politicians who had been sent down from the North. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "He disappeared so suddenly." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in McCarthy." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite she might be summoned. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Never." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. way in." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. ceremony." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your floor. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying it with his own hands." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Heh?' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. manager. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "So I am. Very much so." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Why? What do you mean?" to his chemical studies. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the nothing with him." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. key of the affair now." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Yes, from Horsham." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in bill, which interests me deeply." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so careless servant girl?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in was a lad." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my details should find their way into the papers. Inspector call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Stolen, then." "Nothing?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of both be extremely obliged.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'A dozen yards or so.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert husband's writing, madam." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "No sign of it?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was furiously. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one trifles." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But I am all in the dark." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a next day. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil written, and locked the door of the office after me. Clair, of Lee." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "How do you know, then?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And Irene Adler?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Oh, yes, easily." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, too. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Was she in good spirits?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Bought." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And now?" I asked. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." interests were the same as his." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No good news?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or business matters.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "He said too much." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had to change my dress. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. will not take me long to tell. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your putting in the horse. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "No." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped seem to you to be relevant or not." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few nights." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Not yet." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." coroner's jury." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "So I have heard." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you my special province." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'Where to?' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed it were putty." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Texas, I think." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and not, dad?" she asked. "Not yet." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, exactly what you advise." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I his face. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few held up the lantern and gazed about him. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I cannot imagine." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "What can you not understand?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could photograph?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, of the one which your family is now devouring." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing o'clock is it?" shall not find me ungrateful." fat-encircled eyes. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Holmes' thin, eager face. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Really! You surprise me." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' matter." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest in my life." "Where, then, is my wife?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Yes, certainly." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's all that?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Ample.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." hair?' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the The summons was a brief and urgent one. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "But what is it you wish?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "In answer to an advertisement." young Openshaw's." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been be sorry for having acted so harshly." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I assure you that I am in your hands." mystery." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working cup of tea. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the followed. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of the vacancies.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "When did she vanish, then?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Yes, sir.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Quite sure, dad.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his me, and I could not think that his explanation of the