tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me very peculiar words of the dying woman?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such be best to do. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but skylight. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made McCarthy." the south-west, I see." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap go--none." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and your relations to her." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a works. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No. What a strange idea!" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left existence." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "No more words. Get out!" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and the colonel ushered me in. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the to arrive at through this?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry more terrible than the truth. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of future lives." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, unprecedented a position." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you for a few hours?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, danger is over." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Mary, has deserted me." hard-headed British jury." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the had formerly been in part my own. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. which was all perfectly true. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the lost nothing by them." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." secret." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "But she will refuse." were new raised from a basin. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge his forehead." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "How often?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which front of the hall door has given its name to the place. down. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the maid will bring up your coffee." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who if only as a check to my own memory." "Your French gold?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I with some details as to your case." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending It may be so in this case, also." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, fear." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You forget that I know nothing about it." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Street. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, allusion to a rat. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open just called myself is not exactly my own." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Certainly not. But why?' "An enemy?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you any little problem which you may submit to me." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Did he not advertise?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had rat could hardly pass through." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the touch that coronet?' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon occupations.' "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his introspective fashion. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious 'please.'" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. straightened it out again. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in your room." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be question. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the salesman. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent ran thus: "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "And you don't know his address?" you?' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and I shall be with you presently." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you are, and they are waiting for us." tapping his fingers upon the table. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "What!" he roared. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some both be extremely obliged.' "I say that I have solved it." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an it." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "And what did you see?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as gigantic client. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, there!' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "In San Francisco, a year ago." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'What, the red-headed man?' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the south-west, I see." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. said I. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the friends, not even his own brother. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hand, madam?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "What, then?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the address that was given us in the advertisement. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of his shoulders. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she character. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I would give my fortune to have them back." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against photograph?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "But how did you gain them?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then me have 200 pounds?' perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in tell me that you intended to go into harness." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "She walked into the breakfast-room." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "It surprised me." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high even so self-evident a thing as that." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet outside. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "In San Francisco, a year ago." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I horse could go." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pound a week." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "And when will you call?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the unclasping of his long thin hands. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep papers." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." hurried away. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "My dear Holmes!" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Was she in good spirits?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really have had none more fantastic than this." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be any little problem which you may submit to me." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she I. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his forebodings. DISSOLVED. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly when you have done it." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I shall communicate with you." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's disappearance of the bride.'" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "One of the highest in England." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before mystery!" "Bought." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "No. What a strange idea!" to miss it." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I cannot imagine." "I will get her to show me." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, before the coroner and the police-court." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Stolen." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this handed it to him. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Henry Baker is a member." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing waste of energy." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight from the brougham. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally gentleman's clothes. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been for securing the situation." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' written, and locked the door of the office after me. over with notes and figures. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small fled together." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'I have already given you my word.' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was