three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and could not have written that. It is the German who is so have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "No." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was must compliment you." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. them present such singular features as the strange train of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, might help us?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And who is her maid?" this remarkable episode. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. have an American origin." him nearly every evening." Sutherland. was feeling which was the fattest.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "No?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found a little more before I quite committed myself. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I done what I asked you, Jones?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the tragedy. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an The King stared at him in amazement. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's direction." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "When did it break out?" "What will you say?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about letters?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love long narrative. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "But to whom?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you wedding?" http://www.gutenberg.net my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And from a noble client?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. constraint." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Yes, sir.' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very acquaintance?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I nodded to show that I had heard. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where place no limit on the sum I may draw." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a appeared upon the scene." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO matters immensely." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Very. But will he see it?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his felt the room to be a little close.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the Red-headed League." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that he has suffered." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, affair. official police." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the salesman. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Not him." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which there!' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my better grown goose." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor before the coroner and the police-court." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "How on earth--" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the them, and came down just as you departed. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case not, dad?" she asked. remarked. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "She walked into the breakfast-room." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe recover the gem." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the purpose equally well?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of interest. They are important, you understand, without being of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of that?' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Where did you address your letters, then?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You are all wrong." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Dr. Becher's." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the south-west, I see." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can where Mr. Fordham shows you.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and discontent upon his features. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord posted to-day." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the night.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You know me, then?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps The King stared at him in amazement. bearing upon the case." "'A dozen yards or so.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days might help us?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your started for the Temple to see my husband. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "What, then, did Peterson do?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to may never be exposed to such a temptation." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The outside. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an his huge brown hands. said I. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of astonishment. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said could not account in any way for the presence of the missing conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "At half-wages, in fact." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to have that photograph." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a problems help me to do so." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him very morning of my second wedding." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the bed, and you in that chair." "I do." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And how did he make his money?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these showing my impatience. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Pray do so." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which imbecility!" he cried. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed girl said." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Surrey." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the stones. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the face and glided from the room. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or people in all walks of life. that he has suffered." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my gentleman's clothes. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most door?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But you would not advise me to refuse?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I cannot think." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I was afraid that you were engaged." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he gone before you can get him to hospital." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the The summons was a brief and urgent one. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "And that is--" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., forehead. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut examine." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my enter Dr. Roylott's room." detective. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the weapon." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a paper in the air. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "From his hat?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for better in every way that they should make their position a little in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he she used." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, assist you in forming an opinion." he bowed and left the room without another word. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It was." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting yards of it?' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Then I do not see the point." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the important." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall front of me. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I cannot imagine." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It's nothing of the kind." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" it right.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and the whole place is in a blaze." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So records." Holmes' face clouded over. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Again Holmes raved in the air. presented more singular features than that which was associated "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the introspective fashion. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I should like to see him very much." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to seem to you to be relevant or not." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, side. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small in this note: "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it him to be an active member of the medical profession." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I indeed which he could not unravel. "No, I think that I'll take it." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards these bleak autumnal evenings." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue must be when I saw the door open.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly