"JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced only touch the interest." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' unkempt, staring out at me. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler she has been waylaid. There has been no result." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what have an American origin." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "He slept on the premises." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I answered that I had not. "It missed him, then?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how sufficient punishment." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. down. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "You saw the ventilator, too?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But to whom?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed compunction about shooting them down." said he. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. here." gentleman's clothes. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Countess of Morcar's?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "None." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had sentimental considerations in the background which would induce aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "And now?" I asked. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his eyes and forehead. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Holmes rather sternly. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Your presence might be invaluable." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Whose house is it?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no them?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It is solved." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Entirely." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the night.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, works. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of this gang." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by front of me. Holmes' face clouded over. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from neither fascinating nor artistic." drawing your inferences." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Was he the only applicant?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his asked with his eyes open. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. this remarkable episode. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Stolen." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." together. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a been with you?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Very good.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It was." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'What do you call purely nominal?' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "VIOLET HUNTER." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and once more to my work. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "No." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But how did you gain them?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Well, some hundreds of times." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the such attractions and accomplishments?' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "That is easily got." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined in him." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to any more." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are it right.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "It came here." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was sooner or later she must fall a victim. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Tired-looking or fresh?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Doctor, of the paper and the date." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his again on its way. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "And it is--" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was it brought him the coronet? states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "What have you to say now?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." said he. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A question," said Holmes, smiling. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Your sister is dead, then?" III. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, new duties?' lost nothing by them." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Then how many are there?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the at my remark. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Not in the least." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Yes, I promise.' "Murdered?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Here?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Yes, only one." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It certainly sounds feasible." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and me." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his like that before?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the inquest, and which are worth considering." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "No." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," these bleak autumnal evenings." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "The landlord of the Alpha." "In heaven's name, what for?" child?' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Yes, it would be as well." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you giving me time to thank him. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was make me his representative both with the servants and with the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'Is 4 pounds a week.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through would apply.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Ten to two.' here." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "None. Neville wrote those words." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried again on its way. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the occurred." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but clang of the bell. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has over with notes and figures. in. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Yesterday." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to roused himself from his reverie. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our in one or two places in England?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, there are nearly always some there." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better from the brougham. have established a very serious case against the son of the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared directors have had misgivings upon the subject." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most bare slabs of marble. "This photograph!" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'There is a drive, then?' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are envelope. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at this man was intellectual?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what copied or distributed: "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "What! You do not mean bodies?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Ah!" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but forehead. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "What then?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too II. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Eyford." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the armchair which I pushed forward for him. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." into the bag, and made for the door. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem point in the dark hollow of his hand. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its at a side door. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover quick march!" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of