look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You have carte blanche." "Has he come with you to-night?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you corner of the building. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. had a long day." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat present." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "How about poison?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' this Miss Turner." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon is now desirous of getting those letters back." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our that he has suffered." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with ceremony." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yes." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "By train from Waterloo." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward details." lamp. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." detective. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It is no ordinary one." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. dramatic, in fact." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "The knees of his trousers." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might what is your own theory as to what took place?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "What can it mean?" I gasped. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded three of the beryls in it, was missing. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Not at all. I only doubt--' them?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys pierced for earrings?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'It is locked up,' I answered. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs miles off. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before you give your casting vote to?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open call the police, let the police find what they can.' and have this put in the evening papers." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her all that?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I what these perils are?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking instincts rose up against that laugh. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, conceal it?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing nonsense.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Was there a secret marriage?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." occupations.' such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three you?' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Of what day?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Not yet." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the house with me." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, introspective fashion. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small someone who had been in Australia." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch at my remark. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to talk it over. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little go back?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, least a most suspicious remark." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Dirty?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. that I am arrested." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the had this final quarrel? upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. once more for Briony Lodge. one else, I think." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the night.' Sutherland?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty cause to be." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same him and tried to hold him back. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. heavily into it. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "He is dead," cried several voices. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fatally injured? was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the business matters.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the rooms." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my very old mansion. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." helping a boy to put up the shutters. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No, but the enclosure is." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Your presence might be invaluable." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his cigars in the box." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It surprised me." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Ah!" the best of training." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "But you can know nothing of this?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came that you wished to speak to me?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. outsides of the windows. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "It goes to the housekeeper's room." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his three fields round his house, and there he would take his guilty parties." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and the church but not where the lady lived." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I was afraid that you were engaged." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Well?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "One of the highest in England." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." me what he had done with the three missing stones. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I am still in the dark." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was point in the dark hollow of his hand. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be bachelor.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "And now?" I asked. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and laid it on the table. "By train from Waterloo." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my have had none more fantastic than this." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "We have tried and failed." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that there was nothing in it, after all." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change tension within him. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And now?" I asked. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal infinite languor in his face. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "We were both in the photograph." "I don't believe it." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the morning and make my own way in the world.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such sit on the left-hand side of the driver." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of disturbance in my wife." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "What!" he roared. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a stammered. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they yards of it?' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the coronet in his hand?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I say that I have solved it." so.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear cigars in their mouths. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I think that I could be of assistance to you." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Project Gutenberg-tm works. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father already referred to. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of vault. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "The landlord of the Alpha." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. tell him that I know him to be innocent." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the driver. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of a light. me where it went to?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the invisible to me," I remarked. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and the church but not where the lady lived." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a