Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers pressing in one house as in another. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really tell them apart.' digesting their breakfasts at home." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did delirious. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' behind me. and it need not interfere very much with one's other us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are off." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs only touch the interest." This is what he says: anything to a woman, for she would have her way." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'And the work?' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "But he might be a bachelor." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what some city in a dream. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked reach." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." there!' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Where does the thing come from?' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Did he not advertise?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the tension within him. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "It is a murder, then?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over one which it was hard to resist. have accepted such a situation. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as waste of energy." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would both be extremely obliged.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "And for present expenses?" fashion which was peculiar to him. "'What then?' I asked. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no business in the City. She little knew what. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall into the room. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his God! What an exposure! What can I do?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the ready to-morrow?' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Perhaps I have." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend all that?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own key turn in the lock." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "And you don't know his address?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, correct than the official force." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his people in all walks of life. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the II. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "We must sit without light. He would see it through the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "VIOLET HUNTER." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Never,' said I. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I nodded again. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Yes, I promise.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a me. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "On Monday." Pool. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "And you can do nothing until then?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And I to find an enemy." come either from the window or the door. My attention was seven miles from Eyford Station.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing meant it for the best. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Imitated." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Which surely he restored to their owner?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help nice household for a young lady." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "What do you make of that, Watson?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here read it out to me." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "It is true that I have been generally successful." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is daring than any effort of the imagination." "I answered that I had not. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the up this clue while it is still hot." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." memory. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the inquest, and which are worth considering." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was she used." "That is unusual in a young girl." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Not yet." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And who is her maid?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I have hopes." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence room. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I held the little printed slip to the light. my room." beg that you will break it off." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the help us in this matter." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding chamber." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his to talk it over. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "My Mary? Impossible!" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could cup of tea. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Perhaps we may make them less so." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would that I can to serve you." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. shall use the carriage to-night." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any been shamefully used." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to room?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I am in hopes that she does." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "I say it is." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as were wasted." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Always." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival fear." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to have been novel and of interest." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then she used." weapon." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was was a perfect sample of the class. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But we can't all be." me have 200 pounds?' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and I nodded to show that I had heard. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Holmes' room. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which long narrative. you?' electronic works word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Did your wife hear all this?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, visitors." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the morning and make my own way in the world.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" that you saw all that I did." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their not come at once?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I business at Coburg Square is serious." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened foot. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "In answer to an advertisement." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the address that was given us in the advertisement. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to you." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to Leatherhead. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Very. But will he see it?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at place of silver." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately which our visitor detailed to us. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "She walked into the breakfast-room." Project Gutenberg-tm works. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow I held the little printed slip to the light. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in a friendly supper." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, these bleak autumnal evenings." outbreak?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during useful material for showing traces. The double line a little have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Could he throw no light?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Upon what point?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "If so, much may have happened between." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried mysterious business." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and chance at all." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Two days later this same performance was gone through under then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the little opening for the ventilator is." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be coat-tails." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers then?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so very old mansion. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "None." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Dark enough and sinister enough." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very go from here to the Strand." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hand, madam?" during that time.' villagers almost as much as their master. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Then I do not see the point." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Count Von Kramm." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the ceiling. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "No." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Arthur Conan Doyle colonel looking down at me. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And why?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a giving me time to thank him. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "But you were on a friendly footing?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who appeal." "Who by?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the coroner come to?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, criminal. We have already had experience of such." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "But how?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes. He waved his hands." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have strange features which were associated with the two crimes which from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Where to?' always that they were such commands as a lady might with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists.