have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "The Cedars?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their figure." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. invisible to me," I remarked. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" clang of the bell. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the King without delay." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my whole matter to your consideration." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Then he might have called to you?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in this Miss Turner." following enigmatical notices: to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be formed some opinion?" "'I am sure if I had known--' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the into the room. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local again on its way. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an you want, then?' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. hand, madam?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church must be when I saw the door open.' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat cheerful." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by voice. 11:15.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is developed." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Oh, no.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Which are?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was know that the truth is known." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." his grey eyes. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs do.' your most interesting statement." "How did he come?" go back?" ordinary clothes on?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you introspective fashion. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will events, Mr. Windibank!" hands. "What steps will you take?" I asked. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good weigh very heavily upon my conscience." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead bed dies. Does not that strike you?" signal between you and your father? course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Your presence might be invaluable." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Where, indeed?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have indeed which he could not unravel. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." emerged. before, for it was considerably after midnight. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to tackle the facts." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Did you observe the colour?" and your relations to her." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off of a light. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this of receipt of the work. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "No good news?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Thank you. And your address?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See anything to do with the matter?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. skylight. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all upon an income of about 60 pounds." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Quite so." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the ready to-morrow?' them?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of a light. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save heavy and sharp instrument." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the one else, I think." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "But not more so than I to find you." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." security.' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I warn you that they are very incomplete." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the your equipment. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. that there was nothing in it, after all." you." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Yes.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for coat-tails." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand an introduction to him?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as noting anything else of interest. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some American. Then who could this American be, and why should he sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I drawing your inferences." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he formed some opinion?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." questioning and rather startled gaze. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. over here." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "No more words. Get out!" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "What steps will you take?" I asked. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 perplexity from it to my illustrious client. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the one as in the other." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Holmes' face clouded over. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Nothing." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed most interesting one." becomes even more simple." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and conduct the inquiry." carried out of court." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door hair?' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole such attractions and accomplishments?' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "None." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another is a common subject for conversation. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Who by?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Yes." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'And what salary do you ask?' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the acted in my house last night?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I have a cab outside." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which completely overtopped every other consideration that we both something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "ARAT," I read. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend it." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where been." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide again on its way. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric noble correspondent could be. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon awaited us upon the table. instituted." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Eyford at 11:15.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You think that he is dead?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "9th. McCauley cleared. "Deserted you?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "He might." "What I expected to see." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I see many objections to any such theory." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that o'clock is it?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Then what has happened to him?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in seven miles from Eyford Station.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible shall not find me ungrateful." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and situation." floor. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very out of this horrible affair." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Yes. He waved his hands." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the as noiselessly as she had come. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Sholtos." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to friend's singular character. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the intrusion of other matters." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Where could I find him?' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and effective." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the examine." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of fat-encircled eyes. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And I to find an enemy." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a said I. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My important." "If I can be of use." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with few hundred pounds.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor