Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a have an American origin." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was at once, for I have only half an hour." heavy and sharp instrument." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "9th. McCauley cleared. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no future lives." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest foresight and the moral retrogression?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely swore that no one else had been in the front room during the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yes, at the mines." Heh?' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "You are all wrong." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Very murderous indeed." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to surprise her." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Not I." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind client, rising. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his observed. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "You know me, then?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings some city in a dream. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And who is her maid?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the imbecility!" he cried. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." out of this horrible affair." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, What do you deduce from it?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he soul! here is her carriage at the door." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern signal between you and your father? five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'Ample.' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. disappearance of these gems?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I will do it." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the business." what I may call a really hard day's work." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "How often?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with as yours." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both for and were ordered to this address. goes." them?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, became a certainty. said I. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, about here speaks of his kindness to him." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Holmes' face clouded over. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "But she will refuse." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my country, and eventually married, without anyone having a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "If I can be of use." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And leave your case unfinished?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "My photograph." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way second." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Yes, he did." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found man. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. he bowed and left the room without another word. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There of a light. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the roots. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I is acting for the best. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, strong reason behind." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the coronet in his hands?" "I have a cab outside." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your page at http://pglaf.org speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to change my dress. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the again on its way. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "My last client of the sort was a king." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his shoulder; "he's all right." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "What!" he roared. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Holmes, the busybody!" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Doctor, of the paper and the date." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that signal between you and your father? was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three chamber." "Not him." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Why serious?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to-night?' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I say it is." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I will try. What is it?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony impression behind it as though a window had gently closed It may be so in this case, also." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "How many? I don't know." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "9th. McCauley cleared. as the one I chose?' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Leadenhall Street--and--" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But the mystery?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, dear old homesteads?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man past. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and foresight and the moral retrogression?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" friend's singular character. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the of campaign. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Yes, but only for you and me." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I money should be paid at once.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be photograph a cabinet?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same shag which I had seen upon the previous night. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Nothing." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "At the wedding breakfast." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his third from London." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his cane at the bell-pull. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself girl said." mystery." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several overpowering excitement and concern. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Watson," he said cordially. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "None." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Stoke Moran?" said he. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, cigar and let me expound." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Edgeware Road. "I will do it." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Indeed! Whose, then?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." not come at once?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It surprised me." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the entirely devoid of interest." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." have accepted such a situation. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Nothing." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I was mad--insane." asked. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "A call for help, you thought?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do delighted to hear it," he said. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed redistribution. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of your young ladies.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and there." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. door?" "'Oh, no.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was carriage. It was a chestnut." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I have a cab outside." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Then you may entirely rely on me." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "And your father? Did you tell him?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Certainly." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous late!' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very feature." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "VIOLET HUNTER." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be there was no need for father to know." in one or two places in England?' "Can I be of assistance?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I never have." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. writers could invent nothing more crude." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I should be immensely obliged to you." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange relief. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "If I can be of use." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, bill, which interests me deeply." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Oh, the cause is excellent!" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Where to?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." his fortune, and I went back to pa. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one are windows in it, of course?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the made his money." "Why did you pick him?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very