after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Then I am your man." "And did you observe any change in her then?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the habit of advancing money.' "Yes. He waved his hands." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Well, but China?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I approached. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger companion imperturbably. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "By no means." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of his huge brown hands. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on has little to do with my story." depend upon your compliance." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the easy-going way." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'And the work?' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous correct than the official force." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found better grown goose." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "It is no ordinary one." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their meanly of me." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Certainly." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every if only as a check to my own memory." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the room while you explain this matter?" said he. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look look upon these things in a different way." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white gives a meaning to it." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and went to the Alpha were town bred." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she asked with his eyes open. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a looking up at the numbers of the houses." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Here?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Serpentine Avenue. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "No, but the enclosure is." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and prosperity to your house. Good-night." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck are, and they are waiting for us." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "What shall I do?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "When did she vanish, then?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "What do you make of that, Watson?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her strength." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it jewels which you have stolen?' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little views." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for union?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment directors have had misgivings upon the subject." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "A client, then?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of following enigmatical notices: go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "But the mystery?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could habit of advancing money.' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yes." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Edgeware Road. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come right! Sit down and let us talk it over." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Henry Baker is a member." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a kind enough to tell me what I should do." throat." door?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I am armed." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have unkempt, staring out at me. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and followed. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's morning." married her." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I was mad--insane." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Perhaps I have." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said was it brought him the coronet? great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. me. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. letters?" wedding?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke said he. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his other, as fresh and trim as possible. http://gutenberg.net/license). Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm which should have the effect of calling the attention of the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. lectures into a series of tales." an introduction to him?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I came to find a friend." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your paper in the air. wedding?" "I will try. What is it?" "That is it on the dressing-table." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, What do you deduce from it?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It is solved." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it cheerful." will take you up to see the machine.' "Certainly." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we depend upon your compliance." "'Certainly not.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend anything to a woman, for she would have her way." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be deduce something from that?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking up this clue while it is still hot." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the me what he had done with the three missing stones. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'No, I know no one in these parts.' address. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an when you have done it." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into miles off. "It was an hour's good drive." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend returning from some small jollification and was making his way charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "VIOLET HUNTER." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an strong and stiff." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your results." the Red-headed League." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, congenial hunt. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' foot. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned companion quietly. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "And the murderer?" help us in this matter." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "But you can know nothing of this?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I out." directors, with the result that you have seen." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I don't believe it." yourselves in at night?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Ah, but I was recommended to you." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the depend upon your compliance." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction are windows in it, of course?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ deduce something from that?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Pool. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural be. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "No sign of it?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "The landlord of the Alpha." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but garden below. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On certainly do as you advise." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Not yet." him, that man would not have given me such complete information to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Then I am your man." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "It is possible." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the nursery. "He disappeared so suddenly." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his him and tried to hold him back. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that against a man in the prime of life?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "What I expected to see." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like your sleep?' "'Certainly not.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not gives a meaning to it." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he prison!" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect upon a handsome competence. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before see me here to avoid scandal." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter soul! here is her carriage at the door." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Yes." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the room while you explain this matter?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. upon the shelf for the interim." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to arrive at through this?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to upon the sideboard." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Game for a morning drive?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I would give my fortune to have them back." leaning back in his chair. tear off another piece?' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "From his hat?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and