Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "But his left-handedness." "'I shall certainly be there.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine DISSOLVED. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our read over the extraordinary announcement. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." asked. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself returned to France?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship thirty. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'What, the red-headed man?' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and effective." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I have my revolver," said I. carpenter." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "What, then?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to said he. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day said I. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, papers." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: just ask you whether you had heard it.' photograph a cabinet?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something electronic works send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility telegram would bring me down to your help." "But your client--" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and think you a quite exceptional woman." remarked. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take geese which you supplied to the Alpha." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Doctor, of the paper and the date." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I heavily into it. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to have been novel and of interest." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "And who is her maid?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in himself to tell his story. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It was a confession," I ejaculated. bird of prey. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we child?' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and cup of tea. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "BALLARAT." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Indeed! Whose, then?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "VIOLET HUNTER." "How did he come?" mystery." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Project Gutenberg-tm works. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Very good.' "Never to return." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in 11:15.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'Yes.' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave sneer upon his pale face. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to asked. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. astonishment. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. lamp in his hand. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a forehead. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of October 9, 1890. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before upon the sideboard." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate The events in question occurred in the early days of my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "And when will you call?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but was a loud and authoritative tap. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "You think so, too?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed you came in." despaired of." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "What! Had he lost his wife?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Could he throw no light?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a if she died from some sudden fright." interests were the same as his." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'It is locked up,' I answered. true." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Here?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Not I." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'I have already given you my word.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'A dozen yards or so.' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not written, and locked the door of the office after me. "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I don't say that. Perhaps." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my leaning back in his chair. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Did you become engaged then?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the know all about it," he snarled. again." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not so.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that people in all walks of life. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country unclasping of his long thin hands. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. front of me. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as good for you to do.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by pressing in one house as in another. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Pray be precise as to details," said he. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they people don't know." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which prepare for the new role I have to play." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece enter into my head. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "She will not sell." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no your room." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." cost them two and thirty pounds." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the stones. province." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "No bad?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to handed it to him. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a at my own good fortune. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Was he the only applicant?" and laid it on the table. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "He is still with you, I presume?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And why?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a could go. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do other, as fresh and trim as possible. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and felt the room to be a little close.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." face and glided from the room. his fortune, and I went back to pa. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I think it very unlikely." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Has he come with you to-night?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Precisely so. But how--" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'I am sure if I had known--' "Where, indeed?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to straightened it out again. few hundred pounds.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to miss it." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Breckinridge is his name." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had joking. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb yourselves in at night?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Seven!" I answered. to that open window." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Yes, certainly." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Won't it ring?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray bachelor.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge charged with?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the existence." straighten it?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His will he say when he returns?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the strong and stiff." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "It missed him, then?" "'Where to?' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each standing smiling on the door-step. families. Now for the facts. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off charge against him will break down." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "No good news?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have your equipment. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "It is possible." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Why did you pick him?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now back to my heart. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in problems help me to do so." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Will you bet, then?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than not personally threatened." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. outsides of the windows. III. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. secret." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a October 9, 1890. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what ceremony." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent followed. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I was concerned in it." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "That also I could fathom." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a is," said he presently: "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Well." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Tell me all about it,' said I. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail,