when you have done it." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and the church but not where the lady lived." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." strength of mind to control. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "How about poison?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some might have a private word with us. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock likely to be some crony of the landlady's." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. fear." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was fled together." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "You think that he is dead?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "But of what society?" that you can jump it.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about from you?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a case before our client came into the room." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the ceiling. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is tell him that I know him to be innocent." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in peculiar to him. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'I am sure if I had known--' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Heh?' really the only notable feature about the thing." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "No legal papers or certificates?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush works. See paragraph 1.E below. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for it right.' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "That you are never beaten." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these trifles." "'What then?' I asked. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And you thought he was pulled back?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "The Cedars?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of stood on the top of it. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to absorbing." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Frequently." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress The telegram which we eventually received came late one night to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. breakfast?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "But what harm can there be in that?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers once more on the important position which you have been fortunate any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John nonsense.' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. formed some opinion?" letters?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then telegram would bring me down to your help." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old character. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending be sorry for having acted so harshly." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other was used.' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'Ample.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, which are rolled in Rotterdam." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and allusion to a rat. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be one of the states of the Union." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you think that any burglar could have done. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" approach us with offers to donate. sofa. This way, please!" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Very well, sir. And this stone?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the happened." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence went to the Alpha were town bred." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building as he folded up the epistle. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "But to whom?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property just called myself is not exactly my own." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I never have." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat floor. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'A dozen yards or so.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "And how did you verify them?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "But she could not love him." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at flock.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your had died away into the silence from which it rose. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Of what?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is never came back." "By all means." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been upon the sideboard." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to o'clock is it?" interests were the same as his." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Not in the least." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the roots. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the Friday. Was it to be in church?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I shall continue with my miserable story. "Your French gold?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fuss that is made over them." is a common subject for conversation. "Upon what point?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Pray do so." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "What is it, then--a fire?" guilty parties." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "No, thank goodness, she did not." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce were new raised from a basin. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We have been better. It is all right." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "That's no good." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his been with you?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must know what is wrong with it.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up was a loud and authoritative tap. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw really the only notable feature about the thing." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before developed." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "And for present expenses?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the station." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the little opening for the ventilator is." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that threaten you." "Texas, I think." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "But how?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "None. Neville wrote those words." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the date of his supposed suicide." sufficient punishment." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in think that any burglar could have done. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I nodded again. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Watson," he said cordially. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you crime." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I have come for advice." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, him, that man would not have given me such complete information down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with arrangements." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "May I see it?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment closing the door. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "And leave your case unfinished?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards it." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "How did that help you?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, ready to-morrow?' might help us?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time residence of the great financier. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Why did you pick him?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, politicians who had been sent down from the North. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "In answer to an advertisement." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. bird I ate is country bred." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And now?" I asked. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the ways of our fellow-men." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria words came to my lips. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the