would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The murder was done with it." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to paper in the air. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." undoubtedly my uncle's." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical done what I asked you, Jones?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Certainly." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is again before evening." bearing upon the case." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to arrive at through this?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Stoke Moran." absorbing." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his had formerly been in part my own. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you o'clock is it?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' good for you to do.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out politicians who had been sent down from the North. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer have an American origin." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "But how will you look?" "We must have a cab." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its to some other building. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "How did he come?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and that ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "An accident, I presume?" purpose equally well?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. prepare for the new role I have to play." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "How did you deduce the select?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of the way of danger. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. he died? in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Lestrade of Scotland Yard." annoyance, but no jest. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting shoulder; "he's all right." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his this man was intellectual?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, became a certainty. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable all-comprehensive glances. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, see a sister of mine apply for." this unhappy family?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "From his hat?" I have it here in my museum." man. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. open." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. sake, don't!" fait accompli?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "She told me to ask you." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will matter over." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Very. But will he see it?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You purpose of examination. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Count Von Kramm." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical giving me time to thank him. villagers almost as much as their master. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was washing it down with a long draught of water. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I was certainly surprised to find you there." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "That is easily got." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Ample." "I guessed as much." companion. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you voice, changing her seat as requested. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I was mad--insane." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I feature." asked. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You know me, then?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, all-comprehensive glances. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "He said too much." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge waste of energy." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of one's self under obligations.' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature sound at heart." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well, it is a possible supposition." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he outside." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "My Mary? Impossible!" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "None." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a good hundred miles off by now." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Then the page we have seen--" six. Come in!" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into His smile broadened. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight is worth.' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "In heaven's name, what for?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were her also." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I approached. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "What can it mean?" I gasped. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that thirty. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "That was it, sir." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and looked back. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, looking up at the numbers of the houses." always that they were such commands as a lady might with brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "What will you say?" business." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "He said too much." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "That also I could fathom." "What then?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have there when the Rucastles went away." putting in the horse. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'As governess?' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the coronet at all injured?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly promised to bring home. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take keep the flames under. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he London for the present?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking what these perils are?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, I have one waiting." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes, he did." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was stalked out of the room. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the house with me." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I don't say that. Perhaps." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I business." Holmes' thin, eager face. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was fuss that is made over them." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Then I do not see the point." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. voice, changing her seat as requested. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You horrify me." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered DAMAGE. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that drove away. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Lestrade of Scotland Yard." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "It's nothing of the kind." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of look dissatisfied." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I will, Miss Turner." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a seven miles from Eyford Station.' light and attacked it." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my way in everything. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "No, distinctly professional." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the bed, and you in that chair." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the happened." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Dirty?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Edgeware Road. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the enough to aid us in our search." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Dr. Becher's." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Precisely so. But how--" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. new duties?' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life This is what he says: "I don't say that. Perhaps." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told me where it went to?"