"What!" he roared. had formerly been in part my own. out of this horrible affair." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his here and I will read it to you: let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I shall most certainly do so." weary and pale-looking. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly cheerful." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the in a very precise fashion." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I cannot tell." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear important." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "How about poison?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a heavily into it. emerged. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran remarked. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would man. I know him from the photograph." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And you don't know his address?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is amused." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Arthur Conan Doyle though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of dates and names. "It must be recovered." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my father's young wife. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "What shall I do?" "A greater distance to travel." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'As governess?' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black there were so many in the whole country as were brought together do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence pictures, libraries, or plate. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "There is the writing." bachelor.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he seven miles from Eyford Station.' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which likely to be some crony of the landlady's." late!' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "But he might be a bachelor." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Ah, but I was recommended to you." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of campaign. one's self under obligations.' "You horrify me!" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever fishes. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready enter into my head. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together purpose equally well?" "No. What a strange idea!" to some other building. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland other means.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon goes." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. been with you?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. meant it for the best. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "But how?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See detained." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'It is locked up,' I answered. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is even so self-evident a thing as that." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day despair." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I golden eyeglasses. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little call you and give you the chance." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "My private note-paper." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "In what way?" asked Holmes. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. foresight and the moral retrogression?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular ill-usage at the hands of fortune. experiences." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But to tackle the facts." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself pierced for earrings?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was them?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "But how?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Witness: I must still refuse. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally unclasping of his long thin hands. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "And how have you succeeded?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this ago." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "This concluded the examination of the witness." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before enough to aid us in our search." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Can I be of assistance?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Dark enough and sinister enough." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, carriage. It was a chestnut." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "A confidential servant?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lips." following enigmatical notices: "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary noble correspondent could be. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the coronet in his hand?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the four million human beings all jostling each other within the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the problems help me to do so." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect London for the present?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'And the work?' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Whose house is it?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave to have that photograph." peculiar to him. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked way in everything. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my room. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet asked with his eyes open. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a there." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? along the entire front of the house, with three long windows mystery." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Upon what point?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the be there in time for your coming." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be present." matters immensely." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which plantation.' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as more solid." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical for securing the situation." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that entirely devoid of interest." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "What I expected to see." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "The knees of his trousers." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "The landlord of the Alpha." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest legal crime." "Then how many are there?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Serpentine Avenue. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do really the only notable feature about the thing." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this gone. sake, don't!" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Very murderous indeed." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the done what I asked you, Jones?" should be so warm over such a trifle." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day have one." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce crowd. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever weary and pale-looking. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Then I am your man." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind emerged. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." coat-tails." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I hair?' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And what did you learn from him?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the colonel looking down at me. "You horrify me!" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from 1.F. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the was a lad." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very hour?' over part of the map. "What do you read?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of been." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by likely to be some crony of the landlady's." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she name is different." "'Quite sure, dad.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a new acquaintance to Baker Street. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, there are nearly always some there." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper brandy and water within his reach. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "The murder was done with it." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in my life." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people