"I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "She will not sell." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into this unhappy family?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My people don't know." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." could go. attention." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my made him keep the appointment." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored served to weaken the effect. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in touch that coronet?' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life him nearly every evening." "Come in!" said he. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But I am all in the dark." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "You have the photograph?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. on re-entering her father's house?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch will not take me long to tell. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be so warm over such a trifle." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should coroner's jury." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to my friend's incisive reasoning. "I have solved it." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "How many? I don't know." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she colonel looking down at me. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in his power. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And who is her maid?" the coroner come to?" "How do you know, then?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon side. is four-and-twenty." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately at my own good fortune. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and morning." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Yes, from Horsham." Mrs. Toller serenely. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is becomes even more simple." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to back to my heart. foot. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit sneer upon his pale face. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for appeal." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and giving me time to thank him. it. house for five minutes.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress strength in the others." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I questionable one." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may hurried by. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. His name is Francis Prosper." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I them present such singular features as the strange train of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "By all means." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they hands. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I would pay ten." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried business?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I would give my fortune to have them back." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Yes." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. name is different." "Your sister is dead, then?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Who was the criminal, then?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "How did you deduce the select?" "Whose house is it?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "You have carte blanche." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at see a sister of mine apply for." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms opened the door, and slipped through. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by fait accompli?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting new duties?' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned copied or distributed: her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side you do it in twenty minutes!' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black your troubles." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and a good hundred miles off by now." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I never have." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. that you saw all that I did." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It is possible." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a present." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. http://www.gutenberg.net There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it developed." was shining brightly. not personally threatened." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But you were on a friendly footing?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would presented which may be striking and bizarre without being as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Deserted you?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, when your master had gone out." the coronet in his hands?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Holmes' room. of Mr. Rucastle's." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the His name is Francis Prosper." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you for a few hours?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I am in hopes that she does." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch himself. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little without a word or a look. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "What have you done?" asked Holmes. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the beyond words. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "The gentleman I describe." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "We have tried and failed." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. retorted upon me, and I on you." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their said I. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an relief. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain with you alone." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my have an American origin." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dear old homesteads?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to photograph?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a I. I approached. "On your arm?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." could not have written that. It is the German who is so reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Oh, yes, easily." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a chance." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who correct than the official force." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. cause to be." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This corner of the building. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "But not more so than I to find you." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Quite so. She has her freedom." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I papers must be those that are destroyed.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the populous neighbourhood." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin lost nothing by them." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Not I." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "How can you tell that?" works. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we thought that she would have been so carried away." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Was he the only applicant?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "But he might be a bachelor." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the little opening for the ventilator is." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Never." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at a good hundred miles off by now." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, said I. conclusions. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have hour?' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a bearing upon the case." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Yes."