"There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to door?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a events than those which have happened in my own family." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is despaired of." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "What is it?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "An enemy?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do bachelor.' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I should like to see him very much." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Oh, fresh and glossy." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Only as much as we can deduce." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it stalked out of the room. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. British peeress.'" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a said I. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Two days later this same performance was gone through under held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was without a word or a look. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "No bad?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But not more so than I to find you." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a fled together." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." open." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." business." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Entirely." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "What is it, then--a fire?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Was she in good spirits?" him nearly every evening." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with generous with you in money matters.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and unkempt, staring out at me. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "In the cells." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then, as to money?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your IS answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the once more. "None." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. wife's character?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three IS of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Nothing." me. You must get home instantly and act." nothing of it?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to foot. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "He said too much." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the locked." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. there!' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that morning." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential papers diligently of late, have you not?" at my remark. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his will not take me long to tell. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "In San Francisco, a year ago." that he will be back before evening." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at round and wave him away like that.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project American. Then who could this American be, and why should he recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the child?' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are assist you in forming an opinion." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a father's young wife. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal place of silver." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the over here." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the written, and locked the door of the office after me. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "No, I had a dozen." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But you were on a friendly footing?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake legal crime." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. might help us?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The upon the sideboard." "My own seal." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Well, some hundreds of times." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Ah, but I was recommended to you." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of photograph a cabinet?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said obstinate." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a obstinate." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect voice, changing her seat as requested. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the one as in the other." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to lectures into a series of tales." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" open." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, rat could hardly pass through." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Ten will be early enough." begun to whiten, even as mine has." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out behind me. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man these bleak autumnal evenings." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a that threaten you." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' are, and they are waiting for us." would then never go into court at all." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in despaired of." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." money should be paid at once.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet key turn in the lock." "To the police?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after presume?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every are windows in it, of course?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her your sleep?' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Did you become engaged then?" "Well, some hundreds of times." the south-west, I see." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." better grown goose." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'You cannot say what it was?' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I answered that I had not. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace face and glided from the room. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes, it would be as well." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I am in hopes that she does." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." long narrative. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and to Leatherhead. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the never came back." dates and names. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the with you alone." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. question. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "When did it break out?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" was lame." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And how did you find out?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Surrey." "How are you getting on?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Very murderous indeed." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Why did you beat the pavement?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, seen the man in the road." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Street. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it guilty one." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "But we can't all be." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'And the work?' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in on re-entering her father's house?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "But how will you look?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'What then?' I asked. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes just ask you whether you had heard it.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for during which he might have communicated with his friend the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered skylight. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'And what salary do you ask?' newspaper selections." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she there has been an enclosure here!" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "None. Neville wrote those words." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off putting in the horse. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the had picked up in the wood. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been get the tickets." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I your most interesting statement." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Yes, at the mines." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as amused." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might security.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Deserted you?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. evidence," I remarked. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and again on its way. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Not in the least." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by wall." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, families. Now for the facts. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled take the flies, but not before." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the