"Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "How did that help you?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and him." chill to my heart. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "He disappeared so suddenly." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'In my own bureau.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "But you have hopes?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It is very clear." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one best detective that ever lived. "And how in the world did you find them?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. once more to my work. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, coat-tails." upon the white wrist. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the for securing the situation." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "You did not overhear what they said?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt case-book, which he consulted. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our there were one or two details which were new to me. But the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Come in!" said Holmes. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the hereditary King of Bohemia." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair colonel looking down at me. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the coronet at all injured?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it here." read it out to me." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I am all attention, madam." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "What! You do not mean bodies?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen have had none more fantastic than this." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Entirely." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of will take you up to see the machine.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some brought there to personate someone, and the real person is astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Then what has happened to him?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in status with the IRS. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' union?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Did you become engaged then?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That room had already been engaged for us. me have 200 pounds?' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Breckinridge is his name." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Have you her photograph?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "About a month then." vanished into the darkness. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But I have heard all that you have heard." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would memory. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having signal between you and your father? "In heaven's name, what for?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "On Monday." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Where, then, is my wife?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "And Irene Adler?" trifles." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "In what way?" asked Holmes. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I nodded to show that I had heard. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his perplexity from it to my illustrious client. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have would then never go into court at all." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Mary, has deserted me." you." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little made him keep the appointment." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat http://www.gutenberg.net "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H maiden herself was most instructive." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "On your arm?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Of what?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Arthur Conan Doyle gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then reach." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my conduct the inquiry." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of pierced for earrings?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Holmes. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'About the same.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. a good hundred miles off by now." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "No, my brougham is waiting." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which silent! Oh, he will be silent!' had formerly been in part my own. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Stolen, then." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You saw the ventilator, too?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed is a common subject for conversation. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I think it very unlikely." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And Miss Sutherland?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I was afraid that you were engaged." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold I am not easy in my mind about them." it means?" "Certainly." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and laid it on the table. go back?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could bird I ate is country bred." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would infinite languor in his face. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin empty. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the matter?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." out." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year all that?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in certainly not very gracious." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "You are certainly joking, Holmes." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." once more. go back?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had once more on the important position which you have been fortunate sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who his face which made him a very different person to the round, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that chance at all." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. round with crates and massive boxes. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Sholtos." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my strong reason behind." "And how did you verify them?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Then you may be so with me." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "And why?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and this remarkable episode. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious some place of shelter and let the county police know what has you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Oh, yes, easily." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an a good hundred miles off by now." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to take care of herself." never came back." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "BALLARAT." crime." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "The gentleman I describe." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Entirely." 1.F. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we affair. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "You saw the ventilator, too?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I am not easy in my mind about them." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts affair. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "One of his hands." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Eh? What was that?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is kindly on the shoulder. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Bought." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the very morning of the wedding." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been His name is Francis Prosper." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as own family. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A throat." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what