"He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "And I." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever forehead. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to drawing your inferences." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Have you good authority for what you say?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of gentleman's clothes. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of business at Coburg Square is serious." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. jewels which you have stolen?' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "None." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant formed some opinion?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and glanced through. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Did your wife hear all this?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Is he quiet?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was something of him before." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the trifles." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "But I have heard all that you have heard." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. my special province." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I am still in the dark." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to of Mr. Rucastle's." "And how did he make his money?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." within hail.' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations once more to my work. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name intimate personal affairs in this public manner." new acquaintance to Baker Street. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in my life." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "We were both in the photograph." the coronet in his hands?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Dirty?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her stood on the top of it. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he there were one or two details which were new to me. But the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'Yes, sir.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "And I to find an enemy." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Was the window open?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room keep the flames under. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to some other building. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" cigars in the box." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "By all means." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It is possible." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "You will not go there first?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Heh?' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a just called myself is not exactly my own." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Very much so." she might be summoned. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she he. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and charge against him will break down." been shamefully used." "The rest you will leave in our hands." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Of Friday, June 19th." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the bottom.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Sutherland. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed to-night?' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to tell." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first October 9, 1890. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of receipt of the work. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "No more words. Get out!" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of writing, and yet I know it well." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the breakfast." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "My private note-paper." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Mrs. Toller serenely. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather paper in the air. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Did you observe the colour?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in than to us. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "But how?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Where, then?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "She showed me, as I told you she would." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'What do you call purely nominal?' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of night.' said he. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress up this clue while it is still hot." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my there when the Rucastles went away." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. have been better. It is all right." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "No." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an 'I should be able to look after that for you.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Entirely." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of The King stared at him in amazement. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the 11:15.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." horse could go." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the coroner come to?" "Where to?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Just look it up, then." this poor creature." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "It certainly sounds feasible." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your way in." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the key turn in the lock." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I unkempt, staring out at me. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have in a friendly supper." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you take the flies, but not before." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon this Miss Turner." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Because he was handy and would come cheap." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of formed some opinion?" "Of Friday, June 19th." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if IS "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle go back?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "The Coroner: What do you mean? registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and opened the door, and slipped through. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "No, finished." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Is he quiet?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building money should be paid at once.' upon a handsome competence. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would them present such singular features as the strange train of know what is wrong with it.' you." paper in the air. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my to affect your life." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a which are rolled in Rotterdam." interests were the same as his." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I business." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's lamp in his hand. hard-headed British jury." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Not particularly." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a a monotonous occupation." thin legs towards the fire. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." it." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had society." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lost nothing by them." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew case-book, which he consulted. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Oh, fresh and glossy." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to change my dress. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the once more to my work. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden wall." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Then, as to money?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Well." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural my friend's incisive reasoning. "My private note-paper." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a is worth.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was pictures, libraries, or plate. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Well, it is a possible supposition." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The doctor?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you had formerly been in part my own. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The never will be, entirely cleared up. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Why? What do you mean?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and without a word or a look. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the address that was given us in the advertisement. you came in." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. future lives." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. on re-entering her father's house?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Yes." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle little adventures." "What shall I do?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty that, and I came down." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'Then let me do so?' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you will he say when he returns?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came six. Come in!" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather had this final quarrel? France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his indeed happy." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately been anything against him. He had for years been known as a overpowering excitement and concern. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to