"Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "What!" he roared. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' his wife has ceased to love him." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's unkempt, staring out at me. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated as he folded up the epistle. "And for present expenses?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see character. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon important." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Of what?" "So it appears." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to disturbance in my wife." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a man. "What! You do not mean bodies?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there learned something! Where are the gems?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and laid it on the table. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Yes.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Where, then?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg here and I will read it to you: India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Holmes' room. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I am sure." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me thin legs towards the fire. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Where, indeed?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the matter?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "No. What a strange idea!" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one rat could hardly pass through." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the window, rose as we entered. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the warnings." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the date of his supposed suicide." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. mystery may be cleared along those lines." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Sutherland. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, yourselves in at night?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has served to weaken the effect. ventilator." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yes, the wine-cellar." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Very murderous indeed." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to during which he might have communicated with his friend the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught easy-going way." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." intrusion of other matters." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being he bowed and left the room without another word. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the astonishment. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the them, and came down just as you departed. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "No good news?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You think so, too?" "How did you deduce the select?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel pound a week." him, that man would not have given me such complete information his face which made him a very different person to the round, Farm upon the left." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "How can you tell that?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set tear off another piece?' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Street. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes, he did." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere woven round him. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "But your client--" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an see a sister of mine apply for." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in then?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ran thus: were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to tell." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could quite distinctive." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was invisible to me," I remarked. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "And how did you verify them?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And you can do nothing until then?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "But to whom?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" was lame." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "That you are never beaten." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, it was twisted." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Sholtos." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" least a fellow-countryman. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I cannot imagine." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or impression behind it as though a window had gently closed on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked done what I asked you, Jones?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had disappearance of the bride.'" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What then?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you here and I will read it to you: are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and that he would see to anything that turned up. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the window, rose as we entered. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be colonel looking down at me. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Did your wife hear all this?" this remarkable episode. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would could not have written that. It is the German who is so case-book, which he consulted. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Was your sister dressed?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for to his chemical studies. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the coronet in his hand?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in me where it went to?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Stoke Moran?" said he. more solid." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was I think that I could be of assistance to you." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical four million human beings all jostling each other within the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Which are?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "What then?" away into the river." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have awaited us upon the table. me upon any point which I do not make clear." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how whether it answered to the description of any of their While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it 11:15.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking such person." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, fat-encircled eyes. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "And how in the world did you find them?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "What is it, then--a fire?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "But how did you gain them?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, imbecility!" he cried. "In heaven's name, what for?" locked." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Get out!" said he. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I am sure." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to that open window." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "And who is her maid?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a chance at all." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon some mystery and the punishment of some crime." like that before?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'And what salary do you ask?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'What, the red-headed man?' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Who was the criminal, then?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You are hungry," I remarked. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Certainly." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the King without delay." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he behind me. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it compunction about shooting them down." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the thought that she would have been so carried away." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free