from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Stoke Moran." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up will be renamed. "What?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which on re-entering her father's house?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his charge against him will break down." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" to that open window." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted always that they were such commands as a lady might with do." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "My private note-paper." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a retorted upon me, and I on you." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Have you her photograph?" "I think that it is very probable." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it attention." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that eavesdroppers?' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "That's no good." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your from the brougham. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "And I." "May I see it?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Yes." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you do." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was tied." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "What will you say?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had of the efforts of the United States government and of the better My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. nonsense.' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Very good.' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It papers diligently of late, have you not?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a face and glided from the room. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Won't it ring?" "You have carte blanche." "In San Francisco, a year ago." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may once more. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of it." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lamp in his hand. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the very morning of the wedding." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And the murderer?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and looked back. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, outside." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left one else, I think." "That is possible." "'How far from the body?' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "It is true that I have been generally successful." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of papers diligently of late, have you not?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Frequently." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for What do you deduce from it?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud his cane at the bell-pull. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, morning." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'How far from the body?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that I am arrested." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "That is not always so easy." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of his grey eyes. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Why? What do you mean?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "That is unusual in a young girl." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had window when the police appeared." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither business at Coburg Square is serious." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her woman who has had her own way to make in the world. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I have hopes." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Yes." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "But his lameness?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Certainly." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the who was a member of your goose club." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if he. the date of his supposed suicide." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with quickly through a disagreeable task. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "The landlord of the Alpha." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Here?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the coroner's jury." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." at my own good fortune. himself in a perplexing position. mysterious end." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It must be recovered." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the general public were present, then?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to surprise her." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. murdered man." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I cannot tell." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are be there in time for your coming." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you any more." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised most important business. It is probable that he will be away all drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I guessed as much." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Could he throw no light?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like as this. Pray let me have the details." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." when your master had gone out." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern stammered. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London again, where I was soon asleep. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "He disappeared so suddenly." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. such person." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and few hundred pounds.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "And now?" I asked. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Very good.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' society." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Ah!" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he presented more singular features than that which was associated in this way: eat it." o'clock is it?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Then he might have called to you?" narrative." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the a good hundred miles off by now." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And from a noble client?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress purpose of examination. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few persecution?" system of imprisonment?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "On your arm?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the criminal. We have already had experience of such." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "She will not sell." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman appeared upon the scene." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock has little to do with my story." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with this as likely?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and it need not interfere very much with one's other "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Married! When?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that arrangements." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the dramatic, in fact." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It came here." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet in him." "And on what day did he meet his death?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "My Mary? Impossible!" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the into the room. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the distinguish the words: one or two very singular points about this room. For example, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers chambers. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Count Von Kramm." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might down from London to inquire more deeply into it." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "The vanishing of the lady." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In tear off another piece?' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Then let me do so?' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His easy-going way." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "ARAT," I read. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction