suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I know where it is." what these perils are?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, you." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was very old mansion. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of." once more to my work. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, speckled band?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Stolen." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing felt the room to be a little close.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and the whole place is in a blaze." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "And why?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "But it has twice been burgled." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Where to?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and all of them with the keenest interest. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "And now?" I asked. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction License. You must require such a user to return or trifles." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to highly," said Holmes. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction never came back." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "He said too much." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these made him keep the appointment." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we appointment with me for six o'clock?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house heavy and sharp instrument." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Witness: It was. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Now, then, what's the last entry?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to-night's adventure." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. meant." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an shall use the carriage to-night." status with the IRS. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Did you become engaged then?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "That is possible." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." stood on the top of it. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to tell." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. cheerful." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But how?" feature." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent lids now and glanced across at his visitor. particular state visit http://pglaf.org think that any burglar could have done. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Where, then, is my wife?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "What have you done?" asked Holmes. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I wedding?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Then I can wait in the next room." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I have my revolver," said I. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the already referred to. "Did he not advertise?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his colonel looking down at me. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled not fit the lock." upon a handsome competence. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Always." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business fact, we may call it conclusive." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'Never,' said I. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of believe that I should never have any practice at all. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Farm upon the left." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "What will you do, then?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, how narrow had been my escape. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the said Mr. Holder. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of be sorry for having acted so harshly." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of as he remarks, very much against the son." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Was she in good spirits?" "No." to his chemical studies. chill to my heart. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of row." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more something of him before." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my some place of shelter and let the county police know what has rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "And how did he make his money?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down fled together." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we derbies." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." himself to tell his story. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments taking in every detail of the apartment. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in is worth.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly visitors." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in I was concerned in it." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the matter?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he it were putty." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Entirely." "He said that you could solve anything." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To is acting for the best. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "But not more so than I to find you." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Quite so." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "How are you getting on?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was in my life." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of this gang." "No." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for gone before you can get him to hospital." burst out into a roar of laughter. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fled together." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged me what he had done with the three missing stones. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And what did you see?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple carried out of court." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight look dissatisfied." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. these bleak autumnal evenings." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I am to be neutral?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed friend's singular character. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the keep the flames under. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Has he come with you to-night?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The country, and eventually married, without anyone having a whereabouts. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "You know me, then?" over here." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," served to weaken the effect. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' business matters.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how least a fellow-countryman. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its business in the City. She little knew what. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. look dissatisfied." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "On your arm?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without than to us. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass opened the door, and slipped through. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in examination of the premises, but without finding anything which my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I think that it is very probable." "No good news?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I am all attention, madam." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." father's place of business?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "9th. McCauley cleared. of campaign. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "How did you deduce the select?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the started for the Temple to see my husband. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon coroner's jury." ready to-morrow?' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "What will you do, then?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley it." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It was an hour's good drive." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Nothing." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with with her." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer during that time.' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked annoyance, but no jest. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with wall." amused." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "None." The summons was a brief and urgent one. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'Yes, I promise.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but