'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the look upon these things in a different way." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Project Gutenberg-tm works. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the stable lane now." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. train.' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my in a very precise fashion." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "And how have you succeeded?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in seem to you to be relevant or not." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such gives a meaning to it." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and intrusion of other matters." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Of what day?" see a sister of mine apply for." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Yes, only one." in. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know through." "'Which dealer's?' "You have carte blanche." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time money should be paid at once.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "You saw the ventilator, too?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of away into the river." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again one's self under obligations.' here and I will read it to you: signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And from a noble client?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and the whole place is in a blaze." said he. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Never." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was hardly wander." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my quite distinctive." "Never." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "My stepfather's business papers." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It was." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I say it is." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting copied or distributed: metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all distinguish the words: "'Quite sure, dad.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Always." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Where is it, then?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I am armed." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a correct than the official force." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "What do you make of that, Watson?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the side-table." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near giving me time to thank him. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "To the police?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out had this final quarrel? is so. I know all about McCarthy." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting from the brougham. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the he died? look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'You cannot say what it was?' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Because he was handy and would come cheap." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" your sleep?' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I have a cab outside." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have your co-operation." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case voice. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Very murderous indeed." you understand?" "Not I." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "You did not overhear what they said?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. you?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this minor matters until to-morrow." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, back into the street. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are sparkled upon his finger. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Count Von Kramm." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Yes." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "That also I could fathom." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Bought." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and cigar and let me expound." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I particular state visit http://pglaf.org should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you not fit the lock." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Well, it is a possible supposition." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the little adventures." to change my dress. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the ready to-morrow?' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical directly by questioning you." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he at my own good fortune. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a colonel looking down at me. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know business matters.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical are, and they are waiting for us." your co-operation." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I am following you closely," I answered. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort three fields round his house, and there he would take his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Dirty?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You have compromised yourself seriously." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then one of them." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the without a word or a look. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Deserted you?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the go--none." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the money should be paid at once.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Holmes rather sternly. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such ready to-morrow?' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought congenial hunt. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I bird of prey. "Yes, that is the Crown." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of Fenchurch Street." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no yards of it?' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three said I. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not had a long day." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "The knees of his trousers." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Witness: I must still refuse. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I answered that I had not. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Yes, sir." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be ashen face. "And that is--" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the advice." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Tired-looking or fresh?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small train from Paddington which would bring you there at about She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered without success. At last the little money which I had saved began came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some tied." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, mysterious end." written. himself in a perplexing position. hour?' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" purpose of examination. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and redistribution. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now fait accompli?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the invisible to me," I remarked. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. existence." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon business." "Perhaps we may make them less so." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "How did that help you?" it were putty." "Yes, sir." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a himself to tell his story. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her in. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He man. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had DISSOLVED. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the