"Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon enough to aid us in our search." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "And what did you see?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Then I do not see the point." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And how?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I guessed as much." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to surprise her." as he folded up the epistle. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "By no means." it with his own hands." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Where could I find him?' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to that open window." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You don't mind breaking the law?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "And you thought he was pulled back?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I was concerned in it." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and 1.E.9. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "What shall I do?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of think you a quite exceptional woman." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Well, but China?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "No more words. Get out!" about here speaks of his kindness to him." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. had formerly been in part my own. me what he had done with the three missing stones. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed question," said Holmes, smiling. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was was feeling which was the fattest.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a cigars in their mouths. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So it? Did I buy the geese off you?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from could go. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. most interesting one." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sound at heart." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance now. It seems that there had been some informality about their too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Yes, sir." Munro.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "No more words. Get out!" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hurried away. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I quick march!" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "But the mystery?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'And the work?' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sparkled upon his finger. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fuss that is made over them." acted in my house last night?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, said he at last. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands fasten all the windows?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a I shall communicate with you." "'Where could I find him?' nonsense.' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on cheerful." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive skylight. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently him to go away.' he died? them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and inquire as to the address." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'What then?' I asked. companion imperturbably. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs plantation.' have got?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is he died? "Very. But will he see it?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of You want to know what became of those geese?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was crime." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You think so, too?" excitement. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a girl said." the bottom.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or points to suicide?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It is solved." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her silent! Oh, he will be silent!' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to a light-house. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a noting anything else of interest. "There are none." "That also I could fathom." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and which are rolled in Rotterdam." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a for the market.' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the six. Come in!" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I guessed as much." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning all-comprehensive glances. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be families. Now for the facts. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster there in twenty minutes." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? true." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I nodded to show that I had heard. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. again." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest derbies." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt discontent upon his features. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it to have that photograph." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'Oh, no.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to-night's adventure." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near roused himself from his reverie. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "We must have a cab." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Where is it, then?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "By train from Waterloo." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of crime." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does meant." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that results." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "How did you deduce the select?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question it." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Very murderous indeed." "But to whom?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Breckinridge is his name." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "And now?" He raised his hand. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Ten to two.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you forbidden door. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Really! You surprise me." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, States. comes from the middle window." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for overpowering excitement and concern. more terrible than the truth. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Never to return." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to present." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the garden below. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of your young ladies.' "Look there!" said he. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened have I gained?" "No good news?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Lee, in the county of Kent." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what hour." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the matter." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "You will not go there first?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, kindly on the shoulder. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the affair. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the inquest, and which are worth considering." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in a very precise fashion." companion. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "The King of Scandinavia." the bed, and you in that chair." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and confronted him. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which was all perfectly true. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position charged with?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over is so. I know all about McCarthy." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go rooms." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense you found me to-night--and running through the front room she lost nothing by them." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "On the contrary, this is the right side." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "One?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Why? What do you mean?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait