"I am still in the dark." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I see many objections to any such theory." "Where did you address your letters, then?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at should be so warm over such a trifle." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "But your client--" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous key turn in the lock." Serpentine Avenue. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon disappearance of the bride.'" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the interest. They are important, you understand, without being corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Then you may be so with me." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug really the only notable feature about the thing." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges events, Mr. Windibank!" "I would pay ten." "And that is--" quickly through a disagreeable task. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Well?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a closely." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside recover the gem." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Not particularly." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'What are you doing there?' he asked. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Who was the criminal, then?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to locked. stepfather?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "But you were on a friendly footing?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the with some details as to your case." "'Most admirably.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. entirely lost his self-respect." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each which are rolled in Rotterdam." business." do." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us better grown goose." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work bachelor.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be to a more successful conclusion." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the companion. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And you thought he was pulled back?" fluttered off among the others. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their mystery." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "At half-wages, in fact." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 cigar and let me expound." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "The rest you will leave in our hands." him!" other means.' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose know what is wrong with it.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and glanced through. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly upon us." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to take care of herself." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, this as likely?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, system of imprisonment?" "One of the highest in England." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Yes." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was a loud and authoritative tap. late." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Nothing." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, morning." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start made him keep the appointment." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It is to him that this trophy belongs." will be renamed. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your details." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "No." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her forebodings. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told three of the beryls in it, was missing. shall use the carriage to-night." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'And what are they worth?' I asked. three of the beryls in it, was missing. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'Is 4 pounds a week.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "To the police?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in he. hardly wander." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "But not more so than I to find you." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "But she could not love him." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it questionable one." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Has he come with you to-night?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "What!" he roared. "I think that it is very probable." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: name is different." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you flock.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me certainly do as you advise." it." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I say it is." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Nothing?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the problems help me to do so." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the best of training." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "And the murderer?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his married her." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "And what then?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Yes, from Horsham." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "The Cedars?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the assist you in forming an opinion." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "But your client--" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the License. You must require such a user to return or "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Then I am your man." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any there were so many in the whole country as were brought together case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Was she in good spirits?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, do.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you goes." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' that he has suffered." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to his eyes and forehead. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I cannot imagine." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for lamp. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is directors have had misgivings upon the subject." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some chance." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Surrey." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "In answer to an advertisement." "'Is purely nominal.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, three fields round his house, and there he would take his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "But his lameness?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting secret." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it business in the City. She little knew what. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been nothing with him." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her signal between you and your father? "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the asked. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no taking in every detail of the apartment. "And the cigar-holder?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. that I am arrested." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this really the only notable feature about the thing." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he them?" kindly on the shoulder. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a a room. McCarthy." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, side. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed His name is Francis Prosper." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far good-night and bustled off upon her way. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "But it has twice been burgled." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "You have a clue?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how leaning back in his chair. "How many? I don't know." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already fatally injured? formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "And how in the world did you find them?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I gbnewby@pglaf.org there was no need for father to know." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King other, as fresh and trim as possible. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a read it out to me." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Farm upon the left." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Was she in good spirits?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and business." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Doctor, of the paper and the date." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Entirely." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Dr. Gregory B. Newby Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the