had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "They are typewritten," I remarked. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End in him." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. over with notes and figures. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "He is still with you, I presume?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It is true that I have been generally successful." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon your room." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Thank you. Pray proceed." trifles." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her what do you think they found in the pockets?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for His name is Francis Prosper." "What then?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that mystery." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the ran thus: everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the you." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "No legal papers or certificates?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that them?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "And how have you succeeded?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his way in." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And that is--" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "My private note-paper." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" himself to hunt down. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the side-table." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "That is unusual in a young girl." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. me. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts at home. him. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'And the work?' police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact said he at last. "But to whom?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up American. Then who could this American be, and why should he that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and inquire as to the address." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the astonishment. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Very good.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which a few minutes he said that it would be all right. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "To the police?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "What! You do not mean bodies?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from for its centre. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "To the police?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the until night should bring an explanation. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for thin, with a long, sharp nose?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And now?" I asked. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love me upon any point which I do not make clear." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the warnings." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Imitated." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar crime. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Serpentine Avenue. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "They are typewritten," I remarked. excitement. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. DISSOLVED. in this note: hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it trying to your nerves." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "In what way?" asked Holmes. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and the colonel ushered me in. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Where to?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to more solid." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon their singular warning or token before them when starting upon while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Pray let us have it, for all that." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and are windows in it, of course?" "Was your sister dressed?" "Certainly, madam." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit wedding?" thought that she would have been so carried away." married her." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, meant." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet certainly not very gracious." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away again." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "To the police?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I cannot imagine." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' washing it down with a long draught of water. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Have you it here?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. hour." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "If I can be of use." "I have solved it." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "When did she vanish, then?" bonnet, and went out." electronic works invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his cane at the bell-pull. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is way in everything. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There breakfast." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I cannot think." dead, shall be safe with us." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or to surprise her." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, something of him before." "The Cedars?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Tired-looking or fresh?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "'Yes.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes village inn over there?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room three of the beryls in it, was missing. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," approach us with offers to donate. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was bears upon the case?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I took the paper from him and read as follows: sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "How did he come?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is think, you have already met." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Which surely he restored to their owner?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "No good news?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce his forehead." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "That is easily got." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the guilty parties." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he forbidden door. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "One?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a suggestive one." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet interest. They are important, you understand, without being confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been than was visible to me." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" deduce something from that?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "No, distinctly professional." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no him to go away.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked views." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You have compromised yourself seriously." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "But he might be a bachelor." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "What can it mean?" I gasped. hour." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was giving me time to thank him. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of The King stared at him in amazement. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one these bleak autumnal evenings." married her." have not had my rubber." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Who was the criminal, then?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a miles off. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Certainly not.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. crime." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "By no means." "Dr. Becher's." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his or in danger--" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is easy-going way." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Witness: I must still refuse. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Street. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are it right.' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No bad?" "Pray continue your narrative." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Yes, he did." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." bare slabs of marble. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'I have heard so.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that, and I came down." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to me. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer pictures, libraries, or plate. said he. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall