am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I cannot imagine." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I see many objections to any such theory." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid neither fascinating nor artistic." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "How did you trace it, then?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I extraordinary contortions. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it see a sister of mine apply for." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I cannot imagine." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." mysterious end." noble correspondent could be. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very geese which you supplied to the Alpha." strength of mind to control. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have fire. You quite follow me?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the into the room. weapon." down. "And how?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I would pay ten." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that arrested. You then--" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is take the flies, but not before." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera not, dad?" she asked. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning perplexity from it to my illustrious client. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are know all about it," he snarled. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Indeed! Whose, then?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's that he has suffered." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Gutenberg-tm License. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The best possible." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And what did you see?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to talk it over. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, should be so warm over such a trifle." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. wall." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when for and were ordered to this address. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "What then?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Here?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There quickly through a disagreeable task. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Come in!" said Holmes. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. one else, I think." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "It's nothing of the kind." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and the colonel ushered me in. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." call for it in person on Monday morning.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," again, where I was soon asleep. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the Red-headed League." are windows in it, of course?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Ah!" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Witness: I must still refuse. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of companion quietly. McCarthy's innocence. "I am still in the dark." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has tail." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other detective. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the made his money." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Do you go out much in society?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is ashen face. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I cannot as yet see any connection." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Who was the criminal, then?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "May I see it?" key turn in the lock." envelope. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers this as likely?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there interests were the same as his." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the only touch the interest." whereabouts. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers father's place of business?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to his chemical studies. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The Coroner: What do you mean? were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would been able to understand it, in a very few words. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where him. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Then I shall certainly come." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it green of the new foliage. "We were both in the photograph." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "How did he come?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I promise," said Holmes. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Holmes' room. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my cigars in their mouths. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not my special province." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a enough to aid us in our search." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the inner apartment." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to take care of herself." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, fluttered off among the others. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I have a cab outside." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "You don't mind breaking the law?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I would pay ten." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to-night?" I asked. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And your father? Did you tell him?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "The murder was done with it." stood on the top of it. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "What, then, did Peterson do?" morning." "Stolen, then." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his You want to know what became of those geese?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But his lameness?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Pray do so." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this chance at all." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came have been better. It is all right." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I think that it is very probable." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, cup of tea. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send strong reason behind." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "May I see it?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I am still in the dark." meant it for the best. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into to tackle the facts." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Only as much as we can deduce." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a unprecedented a position." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. with some details as to your case." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "What then?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Where to?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I am sure." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the present." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "He said too much." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." straighten it?" outside." late!' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for on in his house." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, anything to do with the matter?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of unprecedented a position." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'And what salary do you ask?' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." acted in my house last night?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Very truly yours, during that time.' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. is acting for the best. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Where did he live, then?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up business came to an end." that?' least a fellow-countryman. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "No, distinctly professional." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a woman." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, money should be paid at once.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and developed." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from said I. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me,