and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the south-west, I see." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I was sure that I might rely on you." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, taking in every detail of the apartment. "And why in hopes?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And the murderer?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "But what is it you wish?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler is a common subject for conversation. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the skylight. "I think it very unlikely." "Not in the least." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "But what harm can there be in that?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in quickly through a disagreeable task. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. quite distinctive." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old trying to your nerves." becomes even more simple." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It looks newer than the other things?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'Then let me do so?' this poor creature." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I cannot tell." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the there." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your it." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Then I shall certainly come." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said have one." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that throat." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yes, all." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "That sounds a little paradoxical." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "It is possible." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler certainly do as you advise." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Literary Archive Foundation sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the so-precious time, but come!' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If drove away. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the conduct the inquiry." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from business came to an end." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. gone. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fattened it expressly for you.' Holmes' room. your only hope of safety." the address that was given us in the advertisement. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "But your client--" the devil!" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took memory. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To into the bag, and made for the door. chambers. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Won't it ring?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Holmes' room. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'Is purely nominal.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Witness: It was. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil felt?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Does that suggest anything?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets will he say when he returns?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I held the little printed slip to the light. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked my little problems." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his might have a private word with us. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Lee, in the county of Kent." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Holmes. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the you in yours." Pool. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I am armed." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "But your client--" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever people don't know." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You soul! here is her carriage at the door." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon residence of the great financier. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case sake, don't!" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Very murderous indeed." point in the dark hollow of his hand. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop you understand?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and a shock of very red hair. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name went to the Alpha were town bred." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and manager. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Do you receive much company?" he asked. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than spark where all is dark to me." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "10th. John Swain cleared. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I cannot imagine." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable closely." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "My dear Holmes!" the bed, and you in that chair." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to change my dress. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Won't it ring?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I assure you that I am in your hands." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "So I heard. You have him here?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." said he. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Pray be precise as to details," said he. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Ah!" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the very morning of the wedding." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I approached. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the upon the shelf for the interim." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Project Gutenberg-tm works. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "And how?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come DISSOLVED. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to you." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Stolen!' he cried. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at room. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Precisely so. But how--" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the open." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Perhaps we may make them less so." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in London for the present?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business should be taken.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dramatic, in fact." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this have not had my rubber." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular notes," he said. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet there were so many in the whole country as were brought together direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Have you good authority for what you say?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "When did it break out?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You have the photograph?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and to his chemical studies. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to-night." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I fear not." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." upon the shelf for the interim." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the Red-headed League." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I have solved it." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." hour." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in this note: perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my clanging. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him mystery." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "There are none." bonnet, and went out." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "The vanishing of the lady." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. are, and they are waiting for us." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "But you have hopes?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend make me his representative both with the servants and with the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I will get her to show me." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Stoke Moran?" said he. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Precisely." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Has he come with you to-night?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I will not look." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out bird I ate is country bred." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Yes." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would residence of the great financier. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he must be when I saw the door open.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "But what will you do?" "Yes." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will me."