subject to the trademark license, especially commercial know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to them, and came down just as you departed. fishes. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that hard-headed British jury." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow What do you deduce from it?" "It must be recovered." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I think it very unlikely." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature when you have done it." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. points to suicide?" to that open window." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the room while you explain this matter?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In pierced for earrings?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "How did you trace it, then?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." with you alone." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have correct than the official force." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly public press." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I in my life." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, your only hope of safety." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'Yes, sir.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able danger is over." papers." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful narrative." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the general public were present, then?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing disappearance of these gems?" that he will be back before evening." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was feeling which was the fattest.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Pope's Court, Fleet Street." them, and came down just as you departed. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "That you are never beaten." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back himself to tell his story. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Ha! you find it so?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Yes." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler me." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes. He waved his hands." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I helping a boy to put up the shutters. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Not in a good cause." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Precisely." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned said I. next day. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend way in." the bed, and you in that chair." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'In my own bureau.' habit of advancing money.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the running down." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such sofa. This way, please!" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had in the dead of the night?' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I know where it is." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out generous with you in money matters.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, gigantic client. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "What then?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "What I expected to see." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the little opening for the ventilator is." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or bill, which interests me deeply." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I careless servant girl?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are floor. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Absolutely?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'As governess?' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Yes, they were peculiar boots." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and noble correspondent could be. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It is to him that this trophy belongs." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I will try. What is it?" absorbing." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat up this clue while it is still hot." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "But I am all in the dark." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "That is also quite modern," said the lady. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not but preventing her from injuring another. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as was used.' locked." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "No." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I came to find a friend." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of breakfast?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Ha! you find it so?" "Never to return." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small once more. despaired of." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A It may be so in this case, also." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Yesterday." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." detective. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered horse could go." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and wait." "'Yes, sir.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage points to suicide?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the derbies." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Sholtos." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes when your master had gone out." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. what I may call a really hard day's work." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Never." whatever might befall. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It is solved." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I plantation.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "What then?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Stolen, then." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. status with the IRS. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility morning." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was fire. You quite follow me?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you narrative." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? this man was intellectual?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and union?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Won't it ring?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Because he was handy and would come cheap." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "In heaven's name, what for?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and the whole place is in a blaze." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Very truly yours, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have hereditary King of Bohemia." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a chance." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "By train from Waterloo." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the running down." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What! You do not mean bodies?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "No, thank goodness, she did not." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom whatever might befall. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "But what harm can there be in that?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position a few minutes he said that it would be all right. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you important." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am me have 200 pounds?' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "How did that help you?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his see me here to avoid scandal." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "What do you make of that, Watson?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I will try. What is it?" opened the door, and slipped through. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were interested in these little problems, and since you are good I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a your troubles." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Mary, has deserted me." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been intimate personal affairs in this public manner." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot undoubtedly my uncle's." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was done what I asked you, Jones?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from think that any burglar could have done.