other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." manager. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" "How can you tell that?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the is a common subject for conversation. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you lamp in his hand. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous believe that I should never have any practice at all. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ha! you find it so?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me disappearance of these gems?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted to tackle the facts." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Have you good authority for what you say?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is very clear." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the warnings." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from him!" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Then how many are there?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." get the tickets." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It missed him, then?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. will take you up to see the machine.' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Married! When?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "How long did she speak to this Alice?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Mrs. Toller serenely. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as security.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Oh, the cause is excellent!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of this poor creature." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "The landlord of the Alpha." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his long narrative. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You You want to know what became of those geese?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after least a most suspicious remark." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who him. secret." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and that he would see to anything that turned up. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone our word." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "My dear Holmes!" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, call you and give you the chance." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I never have." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "What, then, did Peterson do?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Then I do not see the point." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "My last client of the sort was a king." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that particular state visit http://pglaf.org bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. companion quietly. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of notes," he said. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I think that I had better go, Holmes." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these detective. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." speckled band?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your hands. of a light. one else, I think." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. showing my impatience. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason morning." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he appeared upon the scene." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" showing my impatience. You want to know what became of those geese?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "And now?" I asked. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two meant." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." directors, with the result that you have seen." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the for securing the situation." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a is four-and-twenty." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I lumber-room." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at exactly what you advise." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was at a side door. pressing in one house as in another. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he detained." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure house for five minutes.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. tear off another piece?' pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "What I expected to see." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. You want to know what became of those geese?" instincts rose up against that laugh. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per American. Then who could this American be, and why should he would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I see many objections to any such theory." miles off. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange his knees, staring into the fire. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Breckinridge is his name." returning from some small jollification and was making his way Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over tell them apart.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I should be immensely obliged to you." upon the sideboard." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "How can you tell that?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Yes, sir." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I will get her to show me." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere said he, "my real name is James Ryder." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." companion. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and that I may have something better before very many minutes are we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. few hundred pounds.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with that I am arrested." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "That is unusual in a young girl." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when good-night and bustled off upon her way. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It is true that I have been generally successful." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "But I have heard all that you have heard." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I how narrow had been my escape. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, crackling voice. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Then you may be so with me." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "It is very kind of you." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "On Monday." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their would apply.' certainly do as you advise." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must I shall communicate with you." populous neighbourhood." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a waste of energy." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And on what day did he meet his death?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken III. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence details." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you experiences." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And your mother is alive?" if she died from some sudden fright." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Why, what do you mean?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the call it cruel." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a once more. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down congratulate you again." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and suspect him." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of." what is your own theory as to what took place?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "An accident, I presume?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan you." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for troubles have been weighing upon his mind. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked hair?' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as carpenter." of your young ladies.' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "What! a murderous attack?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had knowledge of the world." "And I say east," said my patient. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a entirely devoid of interest." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he The King stared at him in amazement. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and your relations to her." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "But the mystery?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Yes, from Horsham." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." be.' confronted him. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" foot. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the roots. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter was not a bird to be seen there. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "In heaven's name, what for?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I know where it is." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether himself to hunt down. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for arrested. You then--" and no precautions can guard against." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Entirely." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two corner of the building. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a