Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When forecastle of an emigrant ship. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. could gather together that I was able to avert another public stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "You have a clue?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "But not more so than I to find you." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about writer." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Absolutely none." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Entirely." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at himself in a perplexing position. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less amused." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "And you can do nothing until then?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the seven miles from Eyford Station.' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some his knees, staring into the fire. someone who had been in Australia." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "How often?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is remarked. "Where, then?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a her also." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the armchair which I pushed forward for him. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could so far?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Stoke Moran." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He weapon." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "You will not go there first?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "He disappeared so suddenly." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur mysterious end." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Well, but China?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day distinguish the words: "Yes." towards the blaze. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." John Swain, of St. Augustine. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly how narrow had been my escape. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall dead, shall be safe with us." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon village inn over there?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "What is it?" "ARAT," I read. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were little adventures." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I should like to see him very much." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you chambers. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "That you are never beaten." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it been shamefully used." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the child." go from here to the Strand." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. writers could invent nothing more crude." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, have I gained?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and again." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of me what he had done with the three missing stones. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed be.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "That was it, sir." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic shaken than I had ever seen him. night.' said he. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "She showed me, as I told you she would." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." crime. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "And what did you learn from him?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part absorbing." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Certainly." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. at home. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. man. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Did he not advertise?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "To ruin me." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from round and wave him away like that.' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Were they all fastened this morning?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar do you make of it all?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And that is--" fishes. "No more words. Get out!" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "None." "Your presence might be invaluable." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "On your arm?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the already been minutely examined." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for again before evening." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin about. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'Oh, no.' which was all perfectly true. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the one of them." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "But we can't all be." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Her father is very rich?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. washing it down with a long draught of water. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I writers could invent nothing more crude." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Yes. He waved his hands." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "But you have hopes?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a suggestive one." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I should be immensely obliged to you." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a astonishment. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Certainly, madam." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the inner apartment." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the read it out to me." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the It may be so in this case, also." "'Very good.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out one which it was hard to resist. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. manager. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little furiously. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bears upon the case?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Where to?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the hands. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have miles off. system of imprisonment?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you understand?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" have an American origin." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I My friend smiled. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is experiences." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I am sure." the nursery. call you and give you the chance." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that instituted." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem held up the lantern and gazed about him. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "But I have heard all that you have heard." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the sparkled upon his finger. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no away into the river." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "My stepfather's business papers." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He would apply.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Not I." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Then, as to money?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the inner apartment." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Sutherland?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his held up the lantern and gazed about him. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote over with notes and figures. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." weighed down with some great anxiety. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a