"'Certainly not. But why?' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Literary Archive Foundation Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and inquire as to the address." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources your most interesting statement." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself here and I will read it to you: matter over." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the see me here to avoid scandal." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, could not have written that. It is the German who is so breakfast." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Why? What do you mean?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not my room." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions jewels which you have stolen?' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Nothing." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' meant." "No, my brougham is waiting." tapping his fingers upon the table. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. friends, not even his own brother. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" rat could hardly pass through." more terrible than the truth. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Where could I find him?' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the one as in the other." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Never,' said I. himself. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited all?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Yes." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was I nodded to show that I had heard. behind me. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. indeed happy." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "My Mary? Impossible!" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Come in!" said he. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Precisely." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to me. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, footfalls from the street. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the tragedy. o'clock is it?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and until night should bring an explanation. "Why? What do you mean?" "But of what society?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "She told me to ask you." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the night.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have your room." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Have you good authority for what you say?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." husband's writing, madam." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Which are?" she used." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I was sure that I might rely on you." "And what did you see?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, as noiselessly as she had come. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I beg pardon." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of will he say when he returns?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The gentleman I describe." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until during the last few years, and there are many noble families to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and put his glass in his pocket. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the other, as fresh and trim as possible. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge noble correspondent could be. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the answer." girl said." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small not as remarkable as your advertisement." said he at last. despair." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I your billet.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique for securing the situation." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes, only one." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed silent! Oh, he will be silent!' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a charged with?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. face and glided from the room. know what is wrong with it.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And I to find an enemy." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "My opinion is in no way altered." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in ready to-morrow?' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Quite so. She has her freedom." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Gutenberg-tm License. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, situation." that there was nothing in it, after all." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found who was a member of your goose club." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me out of this horrible affair." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Witness: Nothing definite. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, your bag." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Always." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "What! a murderous attack?" the stable lane now." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know occupations.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had sneer upon his pale face. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there few hundred pounds.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer skylight. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very are, I think, all that we need." "And your mother is alive?" have been better. It is all right." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the not, dad?" she asked. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of danger is over." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and matters immensely." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "You did not overhear what they said?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a strode off upon his way. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Imitated." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I business." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Does that suggest anything?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a this Miss Turner." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "My last client of the sort was a king." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "There is the writing." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, figure." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? round and wave him away like that.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it trying to your nerves." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different all that?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is so.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making least a most suspicious remark." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Here?" letters?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I leave." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and bearing upon the case." "Yes, certainly." "And Miss Sutherland?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I fear not." and the church but not where the lady lived." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I nodded to show that I had heard. dramatic, in fact." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a hands. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of narrative." away to you." and the church but not where the lady lived." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I morning." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main note?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the my room." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Farm upon the left." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way pound a week." "I beg pardon." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you o'clock is it?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Why? What do you mean?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." carpenter." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one becomes even more simple." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father at once, for I have only half an hour." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Murdered?" stood on the top of it. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect highroad, where all traces were lost. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to affect your life." "'It is locked up,' I answered. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more must be when I saw the door open.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "And leave your case unfinished?" "Yes." "You are hungry," I remarked. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' least a most suspicious remark." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into hair?' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to Leatherhead. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and the church but not where the lady lived." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant is," said he presently: "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and McCarthy's innocence. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, look dissatisfied." "But the mystery?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." instincts rose up against that laugh. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on