Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but amused." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, hardly wander." Farm upon the left." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." second." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), there in twenty minutes." records." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the obstinate." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "We must have a cab." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that easy-going way." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed so far?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "My opinion is in no way altered." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out as this. Pray let me have the details." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have established a very serious case against the son of the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the inner apartment." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in your troubles." and the church but not where the lady lived." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "It must be recovered." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You know me, then?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I do." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." gone before you can get him to hospital." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in darkness. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for not come at once?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was not personally threatened." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'What would be the hours?' I asked. pierced for earrings?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. than was visible to me." "That is easily got." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "But what will you do?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the do.' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "No." "She walked into the breakfast-room." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his face. posted to-day." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I held the little printed slip to the light. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I learned something! Where are the gems?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it some mystery and the punishment of some crime." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. families. Now for the facts. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales better in every way that they should make their position a little I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have accepted such a situation. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and business matters.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into very morning of my second wedding." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My God! What an exposure! What can I do?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we look upon these things in a different way." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "One?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Upon what point?" husband's writing, madam." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Project Gutenberg-tm works. a monotonous occupation." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as compunction about shooting them down." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You have carte blanche." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and occurred." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn him to go away.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Stolen." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and forebodings. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Holmes' face clouded over. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been sound at heart." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late himself. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over hair?' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the south-west, I see." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, locked. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew His smile broadened. "Where, then, is my wife?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to conceal it?" conceal it?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Chief Executive and Director "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "To the police?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, off." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with she slowly sank and died without having recovered her had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I stood on the top of it. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Stolen!' he cried. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I guessed as much." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a will not take me long to tell. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and stammered. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Certainly not. But why?' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, when your master had gone out." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I shall communicate with you." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before himself. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; garden below. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Yes, I have one waiting." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did been anything against him. He had for years been known as a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried my secret was safe in his possession. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of do.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I have a cab outside." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in not fit the lock." forbidden door. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham formed some opinion?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom me." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." rose-bushes. what do you think they found in the pockets?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "No bad?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a know that the truth is known." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. will not take me long to tell. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. details." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' will take you up to see the machine.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "You have carte blanche." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of nonsense.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It is no ordinary one." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he other, as fresh and trim as possible. forehead. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you my former friend and companion. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "And how?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Holmes' room. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "He said that you could solve anything." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I was mad--insane." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end sofa. This way, please!" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting take the flies, but not before." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, but China?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, you came in." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon think that he is innocent?" miles off. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him results." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, guilty parties." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an look dissatisfied." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Absolutely?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not chemical work which was so dear to him. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And that is--" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then clanging. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute really the only notable feature about the thing." all-comprehensive glances. His name is Francis Prosper." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes, certainly." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "My last client of the sort was a king." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "How did he come?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'What, the red-headed man?' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly best detective that ever lived. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets opened a pocket-book and took out a note. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black him to be an active member of the medical profession." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' bonnet, and went out." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I suspect him." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he compunction about shooting them down." least a most suspicious remark." "And how did he make his money?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: golden eyeglasses. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Absolutely?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between purpose of examination. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "And I to find an enemy." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Yes, only one." security.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps might help us?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of rose-bushes. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as