reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the date of his supposed suicide." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the roots. "Precisely." as the one I chose?' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I shall communicate with you." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle present strange and interesting features that it is no easy never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "How are you getting on?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and I shall be with you presently." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Why did you beat the pavement?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "So it appears." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. prisoner's face. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Holmes' thin, eager face. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "So it appears." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And why?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT any more." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, to-night." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." indiscretion." child?' "Then the page we have seen--" was a loud and authoritative tap. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days said he. "Yes." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if interest. They are important, you understand, without being question," said Holmes, smiling. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But to whom?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making with some details as to your case." fled together." peculiar to him. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, http://gutenberg.net/license). "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the bottom.' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You are hungry," I remarked. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able feature." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the south-west, I see." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. said Mr. Holder. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so his wife has ceased to love him." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or wall." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a should be so warm over such a trifle." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." was a lad." gbnewby@pglaf.org "She walked into the breakfast-room." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, respectable self." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to helping a boy to put up the shutters. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my bird of prey. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And had this final quarrel? Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have away into the river." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was present." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I 11:15.' obstinate." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few to have that photograph." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable flock.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "You think so, too?" "I am in hopes that she does." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Yes, it was gone.' your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "What shall I do?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Yes. He waved his hands." "And that is--" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Witness: Nothing definite. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was jewels which you have stolen?' weapon." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "But how did you gain them?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Always." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since fled together." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me will be renamed. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were presume?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would ill-usage at the hands of fortune. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Most admirably.' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place until night should bring an explanation. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which our visitor detailed to us. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and off." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Then let me do so?' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the once more. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came writing, and yet I know it well." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of papers must be those that are destroyed.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all himself to tell his story. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to easy-going way." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it humiliation." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we fait accompli?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: nothing with him." "And Miss Sutherland?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do wedding?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the best of training." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand way: said he. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and your room." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the which our visitor detailed to us. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was a perfect sample of the class. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I will try. What is it?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a back to my heart. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists even so self-evident a thing as that." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in despair." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but done what I asked you, Jones?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "But it has twice been burgled." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'Then let me do so?' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back this as likely?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the whatever might befall. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary weigh very heavily upon my conscience." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'Why that?' I asks. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in one or two places in England?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in detained." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. works. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the interested in these little problems, and since you are good miles off. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Clair, of Lee." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists meant it for the best. words came to my lips. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really posted to-day." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left this Miss Turner." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the when your master had gone out." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face death." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Always." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "How often?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their beyond words. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when his cane at the bell-pull. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man respectable self." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I carpenter." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Of what?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect him!" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she as he remarks, very much against the son." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "No bad?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. becomes even more simple." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Not in the least." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he mysterious end." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But you can know nothing of this?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the confronted him. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I don't believe it." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the what do you think they found in the pockets?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in It may be so in this case, also." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I