and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "BALLARAT." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of hurried away. felt?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Stoke Moran?" said he. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to For additional contact information: Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had disappearance of these gems?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all do.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "On your arm?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." drawing your inferences." Project Gutenberg-tm works. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. future lives." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the forecastle of an emigrant ship. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of." made his money." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "My private note-paper." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by make me his representative both with the servants and with the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is province." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Holmes." that I can to serve you." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "And how have you succeeded?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. tightly behind him. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "In which, sir?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Has he come with you to-night?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and a good hundred miles off by now." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all unclasping of his long thin hands. "I see no marks." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the little trying to do so much typewriting?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, I was concerned in it." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Quite so." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would answer." works. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "But how will you look?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the here." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and deduce something from that?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing during which he might have communicated with his friend the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the bears upon the case?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Leadenhall Street--and--" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think obstinate." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power matter over." morning." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' coroner's jury." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "How about poison?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle open." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "And your father? Did you tell him?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'I have heard so.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a outbreak?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well quickly through a disagreeable task. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an bled considerably." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It surprised me." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility obstinate." business." of Mr. Rucastle's." Holmes rather sternly. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "What then?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ways including including checks, online payments and credit card There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." your sleep?' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a good hundred miles off by now." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the coronet in his hands?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Eyford at 11:15.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be people in all walks of life. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the chair. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, views." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I would pay ten." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And what did you learn from him?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "What then?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It is his hat." never will be, entirely cleared up. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP answered with a sidelong glance. "What will you do, then?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Did your wife hear all this?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This friends, not even his own brother. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On wife's character?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once returned to France?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Pray do so." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'What are you doing there?' he asked. kindly on the shoulder. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over all-comprehensive glances. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You horrify me!" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six you." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New with her." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the in the hope of finding them." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the feature." Eyford at 11:15.' money should be paid at once.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. few hundred pounds.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Do you go out much in society?" neither fascinating nor artistic." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Gutenberg-tm License. Munro.' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And why?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "But I am all in the dark." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very easy-going way." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the certainly not very gracious." you want, then?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should man. I know him from the photograph." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an conclusions. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, they were peculiar boots." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be residence of the great financier. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "None." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble little trying to do so much typewriting?" third from London." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I all-comprehensive glances. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Clair, of Lee." "No." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "It is possible." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Why, what do you mean?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this London for the present?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Does that suggest anything?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you all that?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "You are all wrong." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his are, and they are waiting for us." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "How about poison?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced o'clock is it?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "It was an hour's good drive." "I am armed." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after nice household for a young lady." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare are windows in it, of course?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of learned something! Where are the gems?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute