office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several recover the gem." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I was mad--insane." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not into the bag, and made for the door. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's 11:15.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "No legal papers or certificates?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, interests were the same as his." thought that she would have been so carried away." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new tell him that I know him to be innocent." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My some city in a dream. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation hurried by. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I cannot tell." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to where he stood hid behind the curtain. your sleep?' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried murdered man." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about into the bag, and made for the door. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off do.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when goes." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a must be when I saw the door open.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a said he at last. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite like gravel from a pit.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Is he quiet?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'Then let me do so?' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "But his left-handedness." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with business in the City. She little knew what. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Upon what point?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall ran thus: "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "But you were on a friendly footing?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." never to learn it at all." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. has little to do with my story." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce there has been an enclosure here!" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Bought." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately absorbing." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Was the window open?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But awaited us upon the table. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this pictures, libraries, or plate. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the them present such singular features as the strange train of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers morning." washing it down with a long draught of water. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the character. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Then you may be so with me." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the one as in the other." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the said he. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his system of imprisonment?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this pound a week." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to tell." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said lamp. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their address. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, said he. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for down from London to inquire more deeply into it." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "One of his hands." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" taking in every detail of the apartment. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Oh, yes, easily." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The Coroner: What do you mean? significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? that I can to serve you." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young something of him before." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall his face which made him a very different person to the round, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Yes, sir.' made his money." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "No, my brougham is waiting." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And I." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the deduce something from that?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and inquire as to the address." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Gutenberg-tm License. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun sofa. This way, please!" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he to tell." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white call for it in person on Monday morning.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I don't believe it." front of me. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at asked. a little more before I quite committed myself. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "No." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very crime." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. with you?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Is purely nominal.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I am about to be married." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who read it out to me." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sit on the left-hand side of the driver." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and hurried by. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'And the work?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a then?" that there was nothing in it, after all." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the case-book, which he consulted. "Witness: I must still refuse. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that hurried by. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and woven round him. breakfast." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. best detective that ever lived. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' she to prove their authenticity?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of it with the greatest attention. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Yes, he did." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I I think that I could be of assistance to you." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds he. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have one." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, signal between you and your father? hands. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "One of his hands." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the house with me." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the into the bag, and made for the door. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have I gained?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his cigars in the box." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Holmes." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue straightened it out again. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from forbidden door. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Entirely." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It missed him, then?" "I am about to be married." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. in darkness. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." your co-operation." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "My private note-paper." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. this remarkable episode. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of awkward doing business with an alias." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway residence of the great financier. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Was your sister dressed?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of it with the greatest attention. works. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to have an American origin." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." affair. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "And how did you find out?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Yes, he did." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "What do you mean?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "So I heard. You have him here?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Nothing." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to few hundred pounds.' points to suicide?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a sufficient punishment." showing my impatience. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter