house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down McCarthy." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his where Mr. Fordham shows you.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Holmes. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have one." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my there was no need for father to know." evidence," I remarked. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This four million human beings all jostling each other within the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the It may be so in this case, also." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were our word." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream weapon." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Bought." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to are, I think, all that we need." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman companion imperturbably. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "But how?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "So I heard. You have him here?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Certainly." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Perhaps I have." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so infinite languor in his face. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question introspective fashion. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'I have already given you my word.' get the tickets." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Street. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after face and glided from the room. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." in the port of London." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay will not take me long to tell. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Farm upon the left." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which our visitor detailed to us. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "But who is he?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." allusion to a rat. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his good-night and bustled off upon her way. grasp, he hurried from the room. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "When did it break out?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "It missed him, then?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'It is locked up,' I answered. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. ago." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "The gentleman I describe." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what over with notes and figures. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank gone. "'Ample.' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "What do you make of that, Watson?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, entirely devoid of interest." house for five minutes.' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked confronted him. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell gbnewby@pglaf.org pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. row." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet detective. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See served to weaken the effect. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered look upon these things in a different way." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw perplexity from it to my illustrious client. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet sentimental considerations in the background which would induce winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling be.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "It's nothing of the kind." miles off. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "When did it break out?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I shall most certainly do so." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and laid it on the table. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now system of imprisonment?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Sholtos." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Certainly." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a other, as fresh and trim as possible. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he later, upon the night of May 2nd." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'There is a drive, then?' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a me have 200 pounds?' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, residence of the great financier. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "No, distinctly professional." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the south-west, I see." possible that we could bring him back to her? You want to know what became of those geese?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness ashen face. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It is solved." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' hurried away. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I constraint." "But what will you do?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Stolen." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned foot. situation." "We have tried and failed." "My own seal." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. spare." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the acted in my house last night?" never came back." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed acted in my house last night?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "On your arm?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. seven miles from Eyford Station.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I will not look." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was looking up at the numbers of the houses." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to miss it." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who key of the affair now." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his said I. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I unkempt, staring out at me. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the loss of it. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on nothing with him." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to that open window." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "He is dead," cried several voices. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the exactly what you advise." "What are they?" "Yes." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was matters immensely." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and again." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I was shining brightly. "Not yet." this remarkable episode. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and wait." "Precisely." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly new duties?' from the brougham. coroner's jury." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "You have a clue?" less than 26s. 4d. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'Most admirably.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "This photograph!" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. orange pips. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! something of him before." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and capable of preserving a secret.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in o'clock is it?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Quite so." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Well, some hundreds of times." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried.