"It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to 'please.'" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." copied or distributed: Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from go back?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "None. Neville wrote those words." to a light-house. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Of Friday, June 19th." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's you for a few hours?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you because she had spent so short a time in this country that she back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be not as remarkable as your advertisement." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Which surely he restored to their owner?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "It is half-past ten now." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Why, what do you mean?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, never will be, entirely cleared up. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for there!' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I was afraid that you were engaged." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, there!' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "We have tried and failed." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from looking up at the numbers of the houses." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of out." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day case before our client came into the room." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "At what time?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony chance." kindly on the shoulder. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I see no marks." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of appeal." cost them two and thirty pounds." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'I have heard so.' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was noting anything else of interest. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin chamber." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and to tackle the facts." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting late." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'Not at all. I only doubt--' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and The summons was a brief and urgent one. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, This is what he says: your own bird, so if you wish--" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "None." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'And what salary do you ask?' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "He said that you could solve anything." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here enter into my head. "Nearly eleven." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Really! You surprise me." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." very morning of my second wedding." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "No. What a strange idea!" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. not personally threatened." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the coroner come to?" detective. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But she will refuse." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and effective." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. your only hope of safety." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "That sounds a little paradoxical." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Most admirably.' "Yes." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I do." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. mysterious end." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always hardly wander." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Tell me all about it,' said I. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "But what is it you wish?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I say that I have solved it." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a on in his house." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I was concerned in it." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Nothing." for its centre. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on beyond words. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "No, I am descending." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate gone. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to chair. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward details." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "At what time?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, what do you think they found in the pockets?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "What office?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the comes from the middle window." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." away to you." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving questionable one." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported directors have had misgivings upon the subject." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of know what is wrong with it.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. could gather together that I was able to avert another public know all about it," he snarled. "Yes." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that you can jump it.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which in one or two places in England?' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I have solved it." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all chance at all." "The best possible." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." putting in the horse. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the yourselves in at night?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Stolen!' he cried. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it him, that man would not have given me such complete information with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from least a most suspicious remark." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind into her hand at the door and which lured her within their better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he which it had come upon my father." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer upon the sideboard." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Witness: It was. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Seven!" I answered. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. were wasted." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this again on its way. must be when I saw the door open.' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "You have but to name it." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I answered that I had not. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "He slept on the premises." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that I can to serve you." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'As governess?' all that?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Won't it ring?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through his wife has ceased to love him." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lost nothing by them." peculiar to him. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the address that was given us in the advertisement. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, status with the IRS. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me overpowering excitement and concern. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with your billet.' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client has little to do with my story." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, this unhappy family?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I will not look." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons all-comprehensive glances. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Frequently." whether it answered to the description of any of their We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "And for present expenses?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" ways of our fellow-men." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "And how did he make his money?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still seem to you to be relevant or not." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary a very grave face. "Then what has happened to him?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Farm upon the left." Doctor, of the paper and the date." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a off." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his straighten it?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Holmes' room. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else me upon any point which I do not make clear." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you