began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sofa. This way, please!" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I written. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he results." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "But we can't all be." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "My dear Holmes!" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Why did you pick him?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to followed. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "None." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by that threaten you." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such peculiar to him. Dr. Gregory B. Newby A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the or in danger--" little trying to do so much typewriting?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Then let me do so?' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Nearly eleven." I nodded again. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind suddenly upon us." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "It is half-past ten now." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie he. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of my special province." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, stepfather?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not was shining brightly. problems help me to do so." know all about it," he snarled. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the general public were present, then?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See so far?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. look dissatisfied." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and what I may call a really hard day's work." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey arrested. You then--" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, My friend smiled. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, few hundred pounds.' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than speckled band?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found conceal it?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and inquire as to the address." hurried away. "Very. But will he see it?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely out." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I promise," said Holmes. about. "Where is it, then?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, one else, I think." the coronet at all injured?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or been anything against him. He had for years been known as a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "None." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Pray do so." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Then, how do you know?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not province." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a sound at heart." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the house with me." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the coroner come to?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Sutherland?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper approach us with offers to donate. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "And your mother is alive?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Very murderous indeed." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the dramatic, in fact." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which recover the gem." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hands. in darkness. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His there was no need for father to know." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I will do it." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them soul! here is her carriage at the door." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads girl said." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Yes, he did." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital go back?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the little trying to do so much typewriting?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Game for a morning drive?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the little opening for the ventilator is." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "But what harm can there be in that?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran was a perfect sample of the class. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and respectable self." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal get her out of the way." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said dates and names. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked begun to whiten, even as mine has." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Not particularly." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after already referred to. tell me that you intended to go into harness." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about emerged. interest. They are important, you understand, without being silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Ah, but I was recommended to you." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Perfectly so." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and room had already been engaged for us. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Did you become engaged then?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that there was nothing in it, after all." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp suddenly upon us." opportunities to fix the problem. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his kindly on the shoulder. "And what did you see?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "To ruin me." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "An enemy?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in one or two places in England?' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has carpenter." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But your client--" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" late." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the never to learn it at all." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son pressing in one house as in another. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Yes, I have one waiting." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital me." "Not social, then?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed closing the door. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Because he was handy and would come cheap." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Eyford." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, himself in a perplexing position. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped whole matter to your consideration." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the fattened it expressly for you.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in you." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those humiliation." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a would apply.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant before, for it was considerably after midnight. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, particular state visit http://pglaf.org "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist foot. "But you can know nothing of this?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, locked." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "But the mystery?" this as likely?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony make me his representative both with the servants and with the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "She walked into the breakfast-room." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to works. See paragraph 1.E below. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly lectures into a series of tales." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I forehead. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no