Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't note?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "About a month then." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but 1.E.9. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "So I am. Very much so." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "It is true that I have been generally successful." papers must be those that are destroyed.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to lips." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm all?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Yes." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a was not a bird to be seen there. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the fear." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt his face which made him a very different person to the round, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, matter over." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Edgeware Road. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated went to the Alpha were town bred." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many there was no need for father to know." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Certainly." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my other, as fresh and trim as possible. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would better in every way that they should make their position a little "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Holmes rather sternly. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we your own bird, so if you wish--" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "None." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a following enigmatical notices: crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake is," said he presently: the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel forbidden door. province." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. outside. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Really! You surprise me." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'I have already given you my word.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as room?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to change my dress. fear." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The likely to be some crony of the landlady's." look upon these things in a different way." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "No, finished." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Your French gold?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a prison!" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Who was the criminal, then?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. had a long day." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of kind enough to tell me what I should do." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. morning." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and put his glass in his pocket. 'please.'" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "The best possible." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I fear not." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press of them has the shutters up.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which must compliment you." "'About the same.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of was a lad." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You have it, sir, just as it happened." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "No?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had showing my impatience. shall use the carriage to-night." I have it here in my museum." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Nothing." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us tail." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the down. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I promise," said Holmes. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the indeed which he could not unravel. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, crackling voice. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that there was nothing in it, after all." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "The Coroner: What do you mean? in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. once more to my work. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "But his left-handedness." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey putting in the horse. tapping his fingers upon the table. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the husband's writing, madam." the ceiling. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a four million human beings all jostling each other within the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was away to you." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the just ask you whether you had heard it.' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident once more for Briony Lodge. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered passage and a tap at the door. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of other, as fresh and trim as possible. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the room while you explain this matter?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "What then?" "I should wish to." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the train.' who was a member of your goose club." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an compunction about shooting them down." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "By train from Waterloo." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." head. So long, then!" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "He slept on the premises." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Perfectly so." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "On Monday." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that companion. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Why serious?" brain must have something in it." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Will you go?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "What, then?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to mysterious end." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." enter into my head. "No, I am descending." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and intrusion of other matters." "That also I could fathom." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Yes, sir." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Certainly." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I approached. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I might have a private word with us. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "A client, then?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I am armed." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Was he the only applicant?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to take care of herself." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a answer." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Holmes. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not enter Dr. Roylott's room." his forehead." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I will do it." the bed, and you in that chair." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building You want to know what became of those geese?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be to arrive at through this?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "The rest you will leave in our hands." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. bedroom door." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my foot. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform constraint." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring papers on the sundial.'" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much congenial hunt. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so sooner or later she must fall a victim. very morning of my second wedding." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I do." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything hurried away. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "No, but the enclosure is." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely secret." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then It was close upon four before the door opened, and a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the wife's character?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "The best possible." hand, madam?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and all of them with the keenest interest. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at think that any burglar could have done. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." one's self under obligations.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the morning and make my own way in the world.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook I am not easy in my mind about them." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy imbecility!" he cried. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Thank you. Pray proceed." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main anything to do with the matter?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled in this way: first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to your equipment. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy least a fellow-countryman. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he it. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. good for you to do.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the weighed down with some great anxiety. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about allusion to a rat. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have you for a few hours?" The King stared at him in amazement. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring