"My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "How about poison?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Do you know him?" For additional contact information: Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." charge against him will break down." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 new acquaintance to Baker Street. when your master had gone out." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. events, Mr. Windibank!" "And that is--" "And from a noble client?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "And sit in the dark?" fishes. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "But the mystery?" "But what harm can there be in that?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Ten to two.' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Clair, of Lee." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was chance." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Yes, they were peculiar boots." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence putting in the horse. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Pool. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of it with the greatest attention. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." ourselves in the office." mystery!" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are time." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now mystery may be cleared along those lines." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert photograph?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner read it out to me." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither it." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I will, Miss Turner." the roots. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the had this final quarrel? of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and wait." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." I shall continue with my miserable story. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined which our visitor detailed to us. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Stolen, then." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so not personally threatened." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen lamp. signal between you and your father? and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a that you wished to speak to me?' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the coronet in his hand?" mystery." his wife has ceased to love him." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is that threaten you." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I into the bag, and made for the door. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Eh? What was that?" outsides of the windows. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical held up the lantern and gazed about him. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Why serious?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" will be renamed. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Yes." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the whether it answered to the description of any of their The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Yes, sir." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I of this gang." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I do." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the Assizes." green of the new foliage. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to brandy and water within his reach. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "And the cigar-holder?" of the way of danger. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, before the coroner and the police-court." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "On your arm?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were fled together." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. on re-entering her father's house?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of like that before?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Imitated." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I am in hopes that she does." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I have hopes." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to business?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "And on what day did he meet his death?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Just look it up, then." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "But it has twice been burgled." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I like gravel from a pit.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'And the work?' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the very letters. But what is this written above them?' our word." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What has little to do with my story." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of your young ladies.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Then I do not see the point." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Serpentine Avenue. distinguish the words: The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "One of the highest in England." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. politicians who had been sent down from the North. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do overpowering excitement and concern. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who disturbance in my wife." "No, distinctly professional." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the salesman. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in like that before?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "My dear Holmes!" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "The murder was done with it." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to chambers. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I approached. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I will do it." province." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide trying to your nerves." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads asked. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no that he will be back before evening." "I cannot imagine." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and discontent upon his features. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Well, some hundreds of times." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat been shamefully used." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Why did you beat the pavement?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Absolutely none." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Project Gutenberg-tm works. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Yes, certainly." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "My own seal." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a too. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I have my revolver," said I. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'Entirely.' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, little adventures." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my secret was safe in his possession. chemical work which was so dear to him. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." night.' said he. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of business matters.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Chief Executive and Director Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the delirious. wife's character?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Where, indeed?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah once more for Briony Lodge. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. know that the truth is known." not, dad?" she asked. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "What do you mean?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered villagers almost as much as their master. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more what I may call a really hard day's work." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father is a common subject for conversation. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect these bleak autumnal evenings." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was how narrow had been my escape. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which The police have openly confessed that they can at present make is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of the vacancies.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Imitated." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Yes.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to upon the white wrist. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the him!" bearing upon the case." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Look there!" said he. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "What are they?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Then what has happened to him?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a