servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it papers diligently of late, have you not?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to strength in the others." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the side-table." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a village inn over there?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of he died? "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of guilty one." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for exactly what you advise." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me test if we have an answer to our advertisement." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, during which he might have communicated with his friend the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "But you have hopes?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "How many? I don't know." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, in his hands." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Why that?' I asks. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And it is--" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "If I can be of use." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I beg pardon." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in once more for Briony Lodge. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "About a month then." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the tragedy. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lectures into a series of tales." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Really! You surprise me." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "But you can know nothing of this?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes roused himself from his reverie. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from outsides of the windows. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in threw himself down with his face to the pillow. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Leadenhall Street--and--" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Indeed! Whose, then?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." gives a meaning to it." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Was the window open?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get habit of advancing money.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me were unconscious?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point look upon these things in a different way." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "It is possible." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Yes." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." father's place of business?" "Yes, but only for you and me." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I could go. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out him to go away.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the general public were present, then?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would strong reason behind." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. extraordinary contortions. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good outbreak?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Her father is very rich?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "We were both in the photograph." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'Yes, it was gone.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "My dear Holmes!" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Never." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You are all wrong." "Pray do so." "And I." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "At what time?" think, you have already met." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking advice." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Nothing." mysterious end." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "An enemy?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a annoyance, but no jest. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, our word." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had crowd. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the lamp in his hand. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be even so self-evident a thing as that." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Eyford at 11:15.' door?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I entirely devoid of interest." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "How often?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of guilty parties." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias there were so many in the whole country as were brought together she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be appeal." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "On Monday." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I am armed." "And I." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Is he quiet?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "But the mystery?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "How can you tell that?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, against a man in the prime of life?" skylight. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so over with notes and figures. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, more terrible than the truth. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It looks newer than the other things?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to more solid." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and showing my impatience. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "To an end?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Come in!" said Holmes. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I assure you that I am in your hands." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "The knees of his trousers." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right more terrible than the truth. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my morning." hereditary King of Bohemia." the warnings." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. out." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "How on earth--" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and danger is over." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does have got?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I took the paper from him and read as follows: had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you locked. it with his own hands." second." without a word or a look. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Literary Archive Foundation "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "But she will refuse." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "It was." been able to understand it, in a very few words. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the room while you explain this matter?" "No, but the enclosure is." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' your most interesting statement." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Were they all fastened this morning?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may forebodings. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your wedding?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late important." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this anything to do with the matter?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was