"What! Had he lost his wife?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Were they all fastened this morning?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw opportunities to fix the problem. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all asked with his eyes open. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "One of his hands." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Thank you. Pray proceed." "ARAT," I read. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Pray continue your narrative." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. trying to your nerves." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and effective." "Proceed, then." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. foot. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction companion quietly. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another posted to-day." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I see no marks." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." pound a week." Sholtos." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the said Mr. Holder. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'Oh, no.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And you thought he was pulled back?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry against a man in the prime of life?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose gbnewby@pglaf.org had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to affect your life." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Nothing." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "My stepfather's business papers." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "But you were on a friendly footing?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from business in the City. She little knew what. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "You did not overhear what they said?" gives a meaning to it." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we subject to the trademark license, especially commercial memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of or other trace. But how on earth--" nice household for a young lady." "And I say east," said my patient. reach." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "And when will you call?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush he died? "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you you give your casting vote to?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my room." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that were unconscious?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a girl said." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You know me, then?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was in a very precise fashion." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Holmes rather sternly. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining weapon." spark where all is dark to me." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and do.' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His http://www.gutenberg.net been anything against him. He had for years been known as a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin It may be so in this case, also." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that was a lad." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "He disappeared so suddenly." criminal. We have already had experience of such." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon seem to you to be relevant or not." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some never to learn it at all." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may troubles have been weighing upon his mind. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly your only hope of safety." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. 11:15.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there begun to whiten, even as mine has." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the was already answered. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "That is easily got." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Texas, I think." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. posted to-day." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm said I. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "But your client--" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project highroad, where all traces were lost. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate papers on the sundial.'" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love your Highness to the police-station?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' floor. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the child." seven miles from Eyford Station.' will not take me long to tell. the devil!" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize out." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of companion imperturbably. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE could not have written that. It is the German who is so last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and all of them with the keenest interest. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "In what way?" asked Holmes. hair?' "No?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Look there!" said he. "I cannot imagine." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the strong reason behind." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the bottom.' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come The note was undated, and without either signature or address. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of key turn in the lock." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "By all means." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently instincts rose up against that laugh. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is father's young wife. some city in a dream. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a quickly through a disagreeable task. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "In what way?" asked Holmes. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I cannot tell." "Well, but China?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "And I to find an enemy." "She will not sell." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Most admirably.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though note?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had friends, not even his own brother. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "The vanishing of the lady." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she disturbance in my wife." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "And how did he make his money?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible there were so many in the whole country as were brought together snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable on re-entering her father's house?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been writer." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Literary Archive Foundation "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or true." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Certainly,' I answered. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them intimate personal affairs in this public manner." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him article?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Only as much as we can deduce." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went geese which you supplied to the Alpha." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the at once, for I have only half an hour." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which is acting for the best. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded