"I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and the colonel ushered me in. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that country, and eventually married, without anyone having a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as miles off. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Did you observe the colour?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Breckinridge is his name." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Witness: I must still refuse. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across in a very precise fashion." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Breckinridge is his name." rat could hardly pass through." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered DISSOLVED. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the it." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill unclasping of his long thin hands. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "And is that all?" to a more successful conclusion." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Precisely." your most interesting statement." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned think that he is innocent?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have not personally threatened." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Ample." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for pictures, libraries, or plate. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a quick march!" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent intrusion of other matters." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I leave." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "The murder was done with it." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as companion. Sutherland. "I am all attention, madam." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'About the same.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the armchair which I pushed forward for him. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Well." "'And what salary do you ask?' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that from you?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "No sign of it?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project had formerly been in part my own. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed frequently gained my first real insight into the character of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Yes, he did." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on she has been waylaid. There has been no result." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Farm upon the left." where we are going." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and the whole place is in a blaze." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "So I heard. You have him here?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It himself to tell his story. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Nothing?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The seen the man in the road." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. strength." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Miss Holder?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his business." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you nothing with him." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "No, I had a dozen." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Ample." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "An enemy?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "What! a murderous attack?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "None." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon remarked. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his handed it to him. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "What!" he roared. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What! Had he lost his wife?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted lost his Christmas dinner." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, here and I will read it to you: of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or been anything against him. He had for years been known as a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some again before evening." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were events, Mr. Windibank!" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I open." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to Leatherhead. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll society." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "To the police?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of I leave." "No, my brougham is waiting." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend him." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Well?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive never will be, entirely cleared up. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Ah!" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Who was the criminal, then?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Proceed, then." fire. You quite follow me?" your bag." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I them, and came down just as you departed. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I am still in the dark." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the coroner come to?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that you wished to speak to me?' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Seven!" I answered. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "The best possible." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Yes, that is the Crown." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And when will you call?" electronic works client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! one else, I think." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat distinguish the words: "Perfectly so." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative matter over." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "But he might be a bachelor." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm intimate personal affairs in this public manner." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened 'please.'" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a DISSOLVED. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, invisible to me," I remarked. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It is possible." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very forebodings. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Your presence might be invaluable." hair?' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "What will you say?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy fattened it expressly for you.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of of them has the shutters up.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my forehead. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into said he. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the writers could invent nothing more crude." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the salesman. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with you do it in twenty minutes!' ourselves in the office." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have nothing with him." "'Ten to two.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Eh? What was that?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Yes." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain troubles have been weighing upon his mind. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Of what?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, upon the shelf for the interim." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Not I." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager