"I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an shall use the carriage to-night." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by IS all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I am about to be married." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a if she died from some sudden fright." Eyford at 11:15.' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Come in!" said Holmes. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Have you her photograph?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "And the cigar-holder?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute answered with a sidelong glance. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Stoke Moran?" said he. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what chemical work which was so dear to him. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to bearing upon the case." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been such attractions and accomplishments?' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, fattened it expressly for you.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Pray continue your narrative." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "What will you say?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and asked. fait accompli?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'Oh, no.' "Yes. He waved his hands." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, second window is the one that I jumped from." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "What office?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will weary and pale-looking. "The gentleman I describe." "Never to return." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. morning." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little other lovers by making love himself." dear old homesteads?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he lamp. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your arrangements." "Whose house is it?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' enough to aid us in our search." where she found matters as described by the last witness. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "None. Neville wrote those words." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, way: autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the where we are going." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated whereabouts. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and cigars in the box." me what he had done with the three missing stones. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have rooms." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "She showed me, as I told you she would." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a power." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the bachelor.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she third from London." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the lamp. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms come either from the window or the door. My attention was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly You can understand that this register and diary may implicate manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. carpenter." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the address that was given us in the advertisement. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the used to be." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the loss of it. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Stolen!' he cried. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to a more successful conclusion." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Texas, I think." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' were wasted." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Who was the criminal, then?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these call the police, let the police find what they can.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic keep the flames under. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, said I. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Why serious?" "I never have." are, I think, all that we need." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Yes." "What do you mean?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." were new raised from a basin. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have point in the dark hollow of his hand. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in him!" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you success. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect off." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "We were both in the photograph." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can tell me that you intended to go into harness." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than ways of our fellow-men." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in purpose of examination. imbecility!" he cried. matter." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Quite sure, dad.' such attractions and accomplishments?' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose taking in every detail of the apartment. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and empty. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." shoulder; "he's all right." the bottom.' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "The best possible." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her door?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in my life." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the roots. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to at a side door. character. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, giving me time to thank him. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the tear off another piece?' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, best detective that ever lived. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet against a man in the prime of life?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Nothing." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "The doctor?" seem to you to be relevant or not." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have corner of the building. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Certainly." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of you give your casting vote to?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his infinite languor in his face. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I would give my fortune to have them back." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "And how in the world did you find them?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable I was concerned in it." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." I took the paper from him and read as follows: to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I guessed as much." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "This concluded the examination of the witness." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other weigh very heavily upon my conscience." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Perhaps we may make them less so." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a status with the IRS. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes closing the door. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life she to prove their authenticity?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Perhaps I have." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the not within a twentieth part of the market price." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Eyford at 11:15.' window when the police appeared." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Yes." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be foot. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Edgeware Road. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and glanced through. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his forehead." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the bottom.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "No, finished." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Perhaps I have." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, that there was nothing in it, after all." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Murdered?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you where she found matters as described by the last witness. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened delighted to hear it," he said. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some It may be so in this case, also." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own events than those which have happened in my own family." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a his knees, staring into the fire. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'And what salary do you ask?' the tragedy. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded his face. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "In heaven's name, what for?" "Your presence might be invaluable." your bag." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet you came in." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some