"I was mad--insane." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** look upon these things in a different way." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "A confidential servant?" of them has the shutters up.' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I will do it." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'What, the red-headed man?' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Do you know him?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and despaired of." "One?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a placed his cuttings. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and indeed which he could not unravel. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother answered with a sidelong glance. "Where, indeed?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her window when the police appeared." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he empty. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net call for it in person on Monday morning.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular foresight and the moral retrogression?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Where to?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "May I see it?" "No bad?" horse could go." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of the way of danger. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "And now?" I asked. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It came here." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "None." here and I will read it to you: "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Stolen." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Her father is very rich?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "So I heard. You have him here?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Yes?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I will not look." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his at my own good fortune. and have this put in the evening papers." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." always that they were such commands as a lady might with go from here to the Strand." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Stoke Moran?" said he. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes, I have one waiting." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "That is it on the dressing-table." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Did you observe the colour?" evidence," I remarked. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure upon a handsome competence. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor spark where all is dark to me." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You horrify me!" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "No." other lovers by making love himself." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the room while you explain this matter?" to talk it over. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He lumber-room." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, strength of mind to control. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Street. here and I will read it to you: "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking see me here to avoid scandal." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old had died away into the silence from which it rose. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "What office?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing guilty parties." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty forbidden door. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and glanced through. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of again, where I was soon asleep. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and shall probably return to London by the evening train." already referred to. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." call it cruel." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Where did you address your letters, then?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of here and I will read it to you: creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my arrangements." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to he died? locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that me have 200 pounds?' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling be there in time for your coming." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling highroad, where all traces were lost. been shamefully used." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and charged with?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, take the flies, but not before." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the as noiselessly as she had come. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' strength in the others." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "That's no good." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The summons was a brief and urgent one. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was been shamefully used." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I am in hopes that she does." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the inquest, and which are worth considering." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I observed. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I shall communicate with you." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It must be recovered." that I may have something better before very many minutes are fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Then let me do so?' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "BALLARAT." advice." "Yes, but only for you and me." "Then he might have called to you?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well, but China?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And what then?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the what do you think they found in the pockets?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were this Miss Turner." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his knees, staring into the fire. from you?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the into the room. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "No. What a strange idea!" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "My dear Holmes!" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Did your wife hear all this?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these II. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "The Coroner: What do you mean? purpose of examination. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and go--none." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such may have an influence upon European history." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Countess of Morcar's?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Always." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred I nodded to show that I had heard. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger highroad, where all traces were lost. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and conceal it?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" past. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in your London, you will know that the office of the company is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I was afraid that you were engaged." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fat-encircled eyes. "Did he not advertise?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high went to the Alpha were town bred." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Count Von Kramm." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the matter." "Nothing." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "How do you know, then?" "I cannot tell." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now dramatic, in fact." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was his forehead." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, questionable one." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Were they all fastened this morning?" done what I asked you, Jones?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what seen the man in the road." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you understand?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "He said that you could solve anything." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the address that was given us in the advertisement. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found with her." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid power." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I think that it is very probable." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm passage and a tap at the door. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who hurried by. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society make me his representative both with the servants and with the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing looking up at the numbers of the houses." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his strode off upon his way. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I little adventures." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. tension within him. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'And the work?' "Why, it's a dummy," said he.