you found me to-night--and running through the front room she could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I am armed." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. head. So long, then!" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Holmes' face clouded over. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. thirty. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until bell. Holmes whistled. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, place no limit on the sum I may draw." know what is wrong with it.' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." detective. "Nothing?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a his fortune, and I went back to pa. waste of energy." appointment with me for six o'clock?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Yes." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and imbecility!" he cried. bird I ate is country bred." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in the port of London." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual call the police, let the police find what they can.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Married! When?" charged with?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "She walked into the breakfast-room." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a did not hear it also.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the this remarkable episode. window when the police appeared." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "My private note-paper." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Yes, he did." locked. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the thin legs towards the fire. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "By no means." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed public press." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes, it was twisted." of his shoulders. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. tail." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to to-night?' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. felt?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that bears upon the case?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Yes, certainly." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. taking in every detail of the apartment. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is yards of it?' questioning and rather startled gaze. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Yes, sir.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "She will not sell." "It missed him, then?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "He said too much." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to placed his cuttings. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'And the work?' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You have a clue?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and your relations to her." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. go back?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very populous neighbourhood." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion like gravel from a pit.' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." people don't know." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "What is it, then--a fire?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Not in the least." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this highroad, where all traces were lost. fled together." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she had picked up in the wood. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. tension within him. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm what I may call a really hard day's work." should be so warm over such a trifle." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'In my own bureau.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of papers." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles residence of the great financier. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which even of instruction." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the floor. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Yes." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Certainly not. But why?' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a so.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning anything to a woman, for she would have her way." was feeling which was the fattest.' young Openshaw's." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her simple cases which are so extremely difficult." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the matter." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "But how could you guess what the motive was?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "He slept on the premises." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as from the brougham. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "One of his hands." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his unprofitable." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my ways of our fellow-men." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused time." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "You are hungry," I remarked. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Why that?' I asks. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Imitated." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I beg pardon." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and matter." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My coroner's jury." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if speckled band?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It looks newer than the other things?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face ways of our fellow-men." article?" keep the flames under. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." views." "And how did he make his money?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Literary Archive Foundation "A confidential servant?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned are, and they are waiting for us." gone before you can get him to hospital." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the several quiet little villages up there." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had how narrow had been my escape. "And your father? Did you tell him?" arrangements." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It was." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Well, some hundreds of times." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Did he not advertise?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'Certainly,' I answered. "We must have a cab." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Where to?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again persecution?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have it." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." several quiet little villages up there." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and depend upon my doing so.' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "My dear Holmes!" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Certainly." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as His smile broadened. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "That was it, sir." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once it." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United help us in this matter." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "But your client--" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off in this way: said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for http://www.gutenberg.net "Proceed, then." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the populous neighbourhood." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." second window is the one that I jumped from." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained been." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you be best to do. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his stammered. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing excitement. "'Certainly not. But why?' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Absolutely?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the cause to be." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "To ruin me." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's