"Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And why?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in do.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. matter." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to tightly behind him. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "No, but the enclosure is." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or think that any burglar could have done. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast better in every way that they should make their position a little which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that he has suffered." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Not in the least." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "To an English lawyer named Norton." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "No legal papers or certificates?" would then never go into court at all." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; persecution?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I think that I had better go, Holmes." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to his chemical studies. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "My stepfather's business papers." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His it." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." back to my heart. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "What will you say?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "10th. John Swain cleared. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was ready to-morrow?' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and it need not interfere very much with one's other elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Well." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" hour." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. think that he is innocent?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at my secret was safe in his possession. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then here." that you wished to speak to me?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him awaited us upon the table. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, some city in a dream. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, have an American origin." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "But how?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way companion imperturbably. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by your co-operation." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could have an American origin." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good examination of the premises, but without finding anything which quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I will, Miss Turner." started for the Temple to see my husband. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of it with the greatest attention. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, chair. back alive. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was me have 200 pounds?' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such way in everything. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "And sit in the dark?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off You can understand that this register and diary may implicate written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to that open window." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to carpenter." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the are, and they are waiting for us." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and so.' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, long narrative. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Yes." business?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "It is a murder, then?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is intimate personal affairs in this public manner." in a very precise fashion." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the long narrative. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. empty. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I don't say that. Perhaps." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in once more to my work. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do gone. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice you." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should mystery!" "Have you her photograph?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the danger is over." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. careless servant girl?" You want to know what became of those geese?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." been shamefully used." your equipment. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior returned to France?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a My friend smiled. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions writing, and yet I know it well." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit within hail.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it lost his Christmas dinner." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "No." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I came to find a friend." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had compunction about shooting them down." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does undoubtedly my uncle's." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father careless servant girl?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Then I do not see the point." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as of his shoulders. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here humiliation." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the morning." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Yes, but only for you and me." "It looks newer than the other things?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "The vanishing of the lady." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Never." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'And the work?' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no recover the gem." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ago." you." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no shoulder; "he's all right." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. that he will be back before evening." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. I nodded again. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to-night?" I asked. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And how?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the married her." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "But how could you guess what the motive was?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "But she could not love him." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "But she could not love him." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily your troubles." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And your mother is alive?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "At the wedding breakfast." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "This concluded the examination of the witness." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man green of the new foliage. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Whose house is it?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. opportunities to fix the problem. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I shall most certainly do so." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have said he. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had no one to advise her at such a crisis." drove away. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the Red-headed League." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "He slept on the premises." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it now. It seems that there had been some informality about their other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and have this put in the evening papers." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know she has been waylaid. There has been no result." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "What can it mean?" I gasped. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "What is it?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as What do you deduce from it?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a awkward doing business with an alias." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than your only hope of safety." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, do.' "We were both in the photograph." a little more before I quite committed myself. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Then the page we have seen--" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this future lives." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were to a more successful conclusion." "Won't it ring?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the good for you to do.' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?"