long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. you?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them one which it was hard to resist. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "But I have heard all that you have heard." better in every way that they should make their position a little however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the armchair which I pushed forward for him. think that any burglar could have done. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away me, and I could not think that his explanation of the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until asked. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and lamp in his hand. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I will get her to show me." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of miles off. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to it." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed foot. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love relation between them, and what the object of his repeated nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been learned something! Where are the gems?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up of them has the shutters up.' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Yes, certainly." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" see a sister of mine apply for." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the gone before you can get him to hospital." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is highly," said Holmes. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you want, then?' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no one of them." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Yes, I have one waiting." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his grey eyes. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "The doctor?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to surprise her." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was with you alone." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "One of the highest in England." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "It looks newer than the other things?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Precisely so. But how--" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised himself to tell his story. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to chair. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "You think so, too?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." point in the dark hollow of his hand. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to himself to tell his story. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I am about to be married." mystery." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated he died? empty. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Yes, he did." were unconscious?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if up this clue while it is still hot." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding were wasted." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert chambers. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" quickly through a disagreeable task. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of during which he might have communicated with his friend the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Well, but China?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Chief Executive and Director which are rolled in Rotterdam." "But who is he?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very own family. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold a very grave face. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Nothing." "Yes." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a pressing in one house as in another. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from shaken than I had ever seen him. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had points to suicide?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes, sir." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and fattened it expressly for you.' strode off upon his way. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Only as much as we can deduce." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he pity, because in other respects you would really have done very 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man License. You must require such a user to return or who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and way in everything. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in his hands." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "But she will refuse." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "The decline of his fortunes, then?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would might help us?" I leave." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Tired-looking or fresh?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which said I. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I know where it is." weary and pale-looking. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." vault. address. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Not particularly." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project beyond words. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And you can do nothing until then?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith may have an influence upon European history." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. been with you?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. face and glided from the room. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and look dissatisfied." "Not in the least." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that allusion to a rat. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "So I am. Very much so." awaited us upon the table. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." depend upon my doing so.' "I will, Miss Turner." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really ran thus: often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands out." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped that you wished to speak to me?' gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, this man was intellectual?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, friend's singular character. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working upon a handsome competence. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a His name is Francis Prosper." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was a perfect sample of the class. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my back into the street. think that any burglar could have done. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" The events in question occurred in the early days of my his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of entirely lost his self-respect." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of I think that I could be of assistance to you." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Yes, sir." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at shoulder; "he's all right." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "No." "Of what day?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "But of what society?" eat it." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good McCarthy's innocence. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "My last client of the sort was a king." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of you came in." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. was a perfect sample of the class. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must you in yours." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg as this. Pray let me have the details." place of silver." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his confronted him. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and more solid." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Stoke Moran." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of room had already been engaged for us. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the coroner come to?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. redistribution. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Not social, then?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "My dear Holmes!" habit of advancing money.' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he tell me that you intended to go into harness." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the telegram would bring me down to your help." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me trying to your nerves." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and the church but not where the lady lived." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things