"'I shall certainly be there.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and I shall be with you presently." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Why serious?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Not him." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang main points of my analysis." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go subject to the trademark license, especially commercial cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that standing smiling on the door-step. "Yes, it would be as well." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "May I see it?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in particular state visit http://pglaf.org was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never round and wave him away like that.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was used.' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "The doctor?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day without success. At last the little money which I had saved began over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I said he at last. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a directly by questioning you." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not II. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I am in hopes that she does." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I breakfast?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a http://www.gutenberg.net Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the bed, and you in that chair." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You have a clue?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these rose-bushes. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, my little problems." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do hopeless attempt at recovering them." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon This is what he says: "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Then I am your man." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon affair. "Yes, but only for you and me." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of to affect your life." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Have you it here?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Of what?" guilty one." unprecedented a position." good-night and bustled off upon her way. to-night?' "I would give my fortune to have them back." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried highly," said Holmes. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "That is it on the dressing-table." "Why serious?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I think that it is very probable." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Where did you address your letters, then?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." it with his own hands." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "You have compromised yourself seriously." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are about. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was window when the police appeared." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to-night's adventure." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you empty. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or papers." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife main points of my analysis." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of more terrible than the truth. gives a meaning to it." outside. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to sufficient punishment." in the hope of finding them." where we are going." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving house for five minutes.' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the carried out of court." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to with some details as to your case." "My photograph." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No, distinctly professional." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets What do you deduce from it?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I do." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always not come at once?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the past. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our http://www.gutenberg.net take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "What can it mean?" I gasped. rat could hardly pass through." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Surrey." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "By all means." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter status with the IRS. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I know where it is." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his that he will be back before evening." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It is solved." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "May I see it?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "It certainly sounds feasible." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'And what salary do you ask?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt success. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." in my life." his face. certainly do as you advise." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "But she will refuse." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your other, as fresh and trim as possible. "How did he come?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And why?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Holmes' thin, eager face. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he again on its way. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Yes." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the see a sister of mine apply for." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a anything to do with the matter?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "That is it on the dressing-table." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "But to whom?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "My last client of the sort was a king." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for them?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty breakfast?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news You want to know what became of those geese?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "And now?" I asked. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is affection." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other she used." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of the way of danger. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the driver. he. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just a few minutes he said that it would be all right. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I cannot think." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "But I have heard all that you have heard." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Stoke Moran?" said he. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And Miss Sutherland?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, prepare for the new role I have to play." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You have the photograph?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Then I am your man." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "VIOLET HUNTER." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Was the window open?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the neither fascinating nor artistic." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "One of the highest in England." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we be. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize things are very often connected not with the larger but with the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned cheerful." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his colonel looking down at me. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a very old mansion. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so October 9, 1890. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Absolutely none." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear standing smiling on the door-step. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sparkled upon his finger. back to my heart. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Yes, certainly." opportunities to fix the problem. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Come in!" said Holmes. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, waste of energy." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in chemical work which was so dear to him. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Yes, at the mines." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Witness: Nothing definite. meant." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that views." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four was already answered. the coronet in his hand?" "And that is--" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. you in yours." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City