I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." face and glided from the room. "Of what?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined on in his house." straightened it out again. "A call for help, you thought?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great night.' said he. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I don't believe it." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I down. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have will take you up to see the machine.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. in a very precise fashion." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this do." "'Very good.' your most interesting statement." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "And how did you find out?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that so.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You saw the ventilator, too?" "My dear Holmes!" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." direction." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual was lame." "What, then?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a interested in these little problems, and since you are good the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew security.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Then I shall certainly come." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. me where it went to?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you notes," he said. visitors." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, in the dead of the night?' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to leave you to your papers for a little." a monotonous occupation." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Where did he live, then?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a wanted for ourselves." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. had a long day." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a himself in a perplexing position. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were vanished into the darkness. yards of it?' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No." "'Which dealer's?' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Yes, that is the Crown." became a certainty. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Witness: Nothing definite. "How do you know, then?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and that he would see to anything that turned up. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Yes, I promise.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Stoke Moran?" said he. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was constraint." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded despaired of." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch room had already been engaged for us. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a not as remarkable as your advertisement." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. place of silver." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward someone who had been in Australia." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Is 4 pounds a week.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I cannot tell." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges promised to bring home. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now seen the man in the road." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock bird of prey. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' together. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "It is possible." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring strode off upon his way. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel fattened it expressly for you.' weighed down with some great anxiety. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Literary Archive Foundation way: "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" straightened it out again. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "What! Had he lost his wife?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet your Highness to the police-station?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Then, as to money?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his lost nothing by them." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Pray do so." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You were travelling in the States?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry success. Eyford at 11:15.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed tapping his fingers upon the table. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the me where it went to?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "No, I think that I'll take it." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this future lives." "But what will you do?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. morning." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" intrusion of other matters." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project present." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish fait accompli?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "What! You do not mean bodies?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return come either from the window or the door. My attention was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "You have a clue?" the side-table." "And your father? Did you tell him?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Frequently." him. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the seven miles from Eyford Station.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my mystery!" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was felt the room to be a little close.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your For additional contact information: "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his me what he had done with the three missing stones. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle three of the beryls in it, was missing. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Yes, certainly." of Fenchurch Street." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I cannot as yet see any connection." "But how?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself a suggestive one." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "You have but to name it." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "My Mary? Impossible!" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be written, and locked the door of the office after me. your bag." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "The best possible." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and have accepted such a situation. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and laid it on the table. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then you may entirely rely on me." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several useful material for showing traces. The double line a little which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to me. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Yes." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided your most interesting statement." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge happened." learned something! Where are the gems?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, certainly not very gracious." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a crackling voice. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor good-night and bustled off upon her way. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the inner apartment." think, you have already met." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, them present such singular features as the strange train of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned You can understand that this register and diary may implicate vault. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And you thought he was pulled back?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "And that is--" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "So I heard. You have him here?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has indeed which he could not unravel. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search there when the Rucastles went away." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, nonsense.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I your troubles." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "So it appears." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. there!' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And the murderer?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew shall use the carriage to-night." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, respectable self." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove bedroom door." himself to hunt down. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. tied." "And what then?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water question. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." occupations.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we gigantic client. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Yes." spark where all is dark to me." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Certainly,' I answered. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out