"My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic constraint." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "My dear Holmes!" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab look dissatisfied." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high galvanised. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the think you a quite exceptional woman." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Seven!" I answered. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Of what?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "What! a murderous attack?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Why serious?" a little more before I quite committed myself. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. ceremony." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will for the market.' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "And I to find an enemy." the bed, and you in that chair." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong will he say when he returns?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across better grown goose." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: fluttered off among the others. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "But his lameness?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "And what did you see?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." where we are going." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "There are none." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Imitated." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded garden below. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a village inn over there?" the little opening for the ventilator is." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to joking. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "When did she vanish, then?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not lamp. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that returned to France?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his nights." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Then the page we have seen--" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his in one or two places in England?' orange pips. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, carpenter." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing his wife has ceased to love him." from you?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and wait." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when himself in a perplexing position. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Won't it ring?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Where, then?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Not him." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "But he might be a bachelor." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even I was concerned in it." "I should like to see him very much." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are away into the river." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'And the work?' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and chance at all." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by problems help me to do so." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming eat it." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Serpentine Avenue. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "That is possible." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one wanted for ourselves." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the not, dad?" she asked. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Precisely." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in colonel looking down at me. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your only touch the interest." "'Most admirably.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil flock.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, easy-going way." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the corner of the building. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire your sleep?' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his who was a member of your goose club." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black companion. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fuss that is made over them." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced means taking possession of that which another person has a prior prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if he. thirty. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers was the fact that his father should, according to his account, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Do you know him?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Again Holmes raved in the air. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "And now?" I asked. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two shaken than I had ever seen him. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others problems help me to do so." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking other means.' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four again, where I was soon asleep. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the wedding?" "But your client--" people don't know." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Where did you address your letters, then?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the matter?" your Highness to the police-station?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more will find little credit to be gained out of this case." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'What then?' I asked. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'I am sure if I had known--' to-morrow." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the do." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Arthur Conan Doyle vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Which dealer's?' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something read over the extraordinary announcement. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry sound at heart." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Her father is very rich?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I will do it." "'Ample.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Game for a morning drive?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "How did you deduce the select?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" think that any burglar could have done. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Ah!" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous status with the IRS. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the there when the Rucastles went away." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "No, I think that I'll take it." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came face and glided from the room. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." words came to my lips. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, get the tickets." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Upon what point?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the child." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I would pay ten." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old had this final quarrel? to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes, sir." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'You cannot say what it was?' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it written, and locked the door of the office after me. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Have you it here?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Well?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled forbidden door. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had we went to search for him, face downward in a little mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions digesting their breakfasts at home." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" nothing with him." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Pray continue your narrative." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There suspect him." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Which dealer's?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old friends, not even his own brother. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander will not take me long to tell. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Entirely." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. papers must be those that are destroyed.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these business." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must grasp, he hurried from the room. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in ready to-morrow?' society." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the new duties?' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'Most admirably.' Serpentine Avenue. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the his knees, staring into the fire. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very