"The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The light and attacked it." "'I have heard so.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my long narrative. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the pictures, libraries, or plate. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "There are none." "And you thought he was pulled back?" it means?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, extraordinary contortions. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I cannot think." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Game for a morning drive?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "A greater distance to travel." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to wanted for ourselves." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears The summons was a brief and urgent one. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began it." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Stolen!' he cried. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Yes, but only for you and me." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very prisoner's face. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, all that?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the my room." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in the dead of the night?' towards the blaze. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out there in twenty minutes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As straighten it?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Perhaps we may make them less so." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Thank you. And your address?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually know that the truth is known." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "A call for help, you thought?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "10th. John Swain cleared. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in visitors." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "You horrify me." said Mr. Holder. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. hour." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, bird of prey. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not will be renamed. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the empty. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Then the page we have seen--" "The Coroner: What do you mean? thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the open." villagers almost as much as their master. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." followed. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position in one or two places in England?' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." system of imprisonment?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "What do you mean?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "And how in the world did you find them?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to a more successful conclusion." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less for and were ordered to this address. "Do you go out much in society?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Again Holmes raved in the air. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough hereditary King of Bohemia." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. be.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Where did he live, then?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal should be taken.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Where did you address your letters, then?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Just look it up, then." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. drawing your inferences." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes, that is the Crown." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a following enigmatical notices: would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all very old mansion. visitors." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her was it brought him the coronet? during that time.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "BALLARAT." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. little adventures." society." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all interests were the same as his." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is here." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "A call for help, you thought?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. forehead. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she have established a very serious case against the son of the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a prepare for the new role I have to play." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the date of his supposed suicide." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "On Monday." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man disappearance of the bride.'" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" cause to be." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass my special province." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, kindly on the shoulder. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face case before our client came into the room." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then important." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his business." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, one which it was hard to resist. "But you were on a friendly footing?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I he died? off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'I shall certainly be there.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "It may not come to that," said Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in me what he had done with the three missing stones. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is business came to an end." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air footfalls from the street. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any she slowly sank and died without having recovered her you found me to-night--and running through the front room she watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" business at Coburg Square is serious." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the stable lane now." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said was a perfect sample of the class. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many than to us. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal be.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide congenial hunt. until night should bring an explanation. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project habit of advancing money.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which important." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Nothing." galvanised. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. vault. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It telegram would bring me down to your help." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said depend upon my doing so.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the opportunities to fix the problem. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person suddenly upon us." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my meant it for the best. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian for its centre. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "About a month then." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt him. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of one of them." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You have compromised yourself seriously." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This any little problem which you may submit to me." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of might help us?" this unhappy family?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "So I have heard." http://www.gutenberg.net never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Was he the only applicant?" wife's character?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and gone. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. there!' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the is four-and-twenty." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "But I am all in the dark." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Not him." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough know what is wrong with it.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very compunction about shooting them down." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Yes, only one." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You have a clue?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "And it is--" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a clanging. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "What then?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his bird I ate is country bred." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us