some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the Assizes." "Look there!" said he. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which it had come upon my father." "'Why that?' I asks. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" details." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You know me, then?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the bottom.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after envelope. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know indeed which he could not unravel. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I promise," said Holmes. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Perhaps I have." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not place of silver." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." had died away into the silence from which it rose. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual drawing your inferences." carried out of court." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, call you and give you the chance." "Could he throw no light?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried completely overtopped every other consideration that we both but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were beg that you will break it off." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy locked. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'What, the red-headed man?' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "And I say east," said my patient. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage second window is the one that I jumped from." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "It must be recovered." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties this truth that in these little records of our cases which you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which I could not give. He asked for Alice. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "And what did you see?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "And what did you see?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of out." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the ourselves in the office." "His face fell immediately. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection with some details as to your case." "You are all wrong." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "But how did you gain them?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with your only hope of safety." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I beg pardon." "What will you say?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for leaning back in his chair. said he. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at in his hands." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Certainly not.' "I beg pardon." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a leaning back in his chair. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, it with his own hands." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading system of imprisonment?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I was afraid that you were engaged." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than even of instruction." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Did he not advertise?" handed it to him. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De who was a member of your goose club." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and that he would see to anything that turned up. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the address that was given us in the advertisement. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "My opinion is in no way altered." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost even of instruction." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence fuss that is made over them." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, some hundreds of times." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Pray do so." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I answered that I had not. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems returned to France?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, forbidden door. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as nights." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a good hundred miles off by now." "I am in hopes that she does." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search if I call to-morrow?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white were new raised from a basin. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in disappearance of these gems?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass it." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." digesting their breakfasts at home." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "He disappeared so suddenly." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** searched, without anything being found which could incriminate could not have written that. It is the German who is so Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's affair. becomes even more simple." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'What would be the hours?' I asked. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and put his glass in his pocket. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most enter Dr. Roylott's room." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Was there a secret marriage?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I promise," said Holmes. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You are all wrong." correct than the official force." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and most interesting one." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that there was nothing in it, after all." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Sutherland?" fattened it expressly for you.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And is that all?" Edgeware Road. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I see no marks." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As her also." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I will try. What is it?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning imbecility!" he cried. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Nothing." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular you." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded past. what these perils are?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity my secret was safe in his possession. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and effective." brain must have something in it." "He said that you could solve anything." the coronet at all injured?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the it means?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland me. You must get home instantly and act." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how examine." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I will get her to show me." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's chill to my heart. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year pressing in one house as in another. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "It is possible." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing it." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Do you go out much in society?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." strength in the others." generous with you in money matters.' direction." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office your only hope of safety." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes, the wine-cellar." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "No, finished." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped kindly on the shoulder. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to business came to an end." "The knees of his trousers." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the galvanised. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, tied." "Witness: I must still refuse. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so was a perfect sample of the class. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake you for a few hours?" sufficient punishment." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, married her." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I trying to your nerves." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of kindly on the shoulder. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It there were so many in the whole country as were brought together interest. They are important, you understand, without being rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" pictures, libraries, or plate. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the tragedy. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. new duties?' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; particular state visit http://pglaf.org sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he know that the truth is known." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the thin legs towards the fire. even of instruction." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the nursery. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "In San Francisco, a year ago." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "At half-wages, in fact." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of in one or two places in England?' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in compunction about shooting them down." all-comprehensive glances. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, get the tickets." crackling voice. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "At what time?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the jewels which you have stolen?' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. shall use the carriage to-night." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes, all." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could wall." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might