uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a might help us?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was matter." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I am in hopes that she does." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this to you." as he folded up the epistle. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all intrusion of other matters." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "What is it, then--a fire?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her respectable self." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "And how in the world did you find them?" unprofitable." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "No." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the morning and make my own way in the world.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was manager. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each may never be exposed to such a temptation." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen upon a handsome competence. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you one else, I think." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "A greater distance to travel." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, one else, I think." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. washing it down with a long draught of water. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Never to return." weighed down with some great anxiety. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two later, upon the night of May 2nd." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "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 violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch do.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Dr. Becher's." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there go--none." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Ha! you find it so?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You did not overhear what they said?" acted in my house last night?" heavily into it. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I know where it is." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, cost them two and thirty pounds." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "And who is her maid?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It 1.F. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a some terrible trap for her." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I would pay ten." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now asked with his eyes open. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this where she found matters as described by the last witness. time." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback been shamefully used." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm soul! here is her carriage at the door." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One father's place of business?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's he. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You have the photograph?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the lost nothing by them." village inn over there?" touch that coronet?' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so answered with a sidelong glance. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and no precautions can guard against." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging until night should bring an explanation. been deceived." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There thin legs towards the fire. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" ran thus: open." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "That you are never beaten." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? congratulate you again." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Witness: It was. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled cigars in the box." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" fasten all the windows?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Dark enough and sinister enough." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "But the mystery?" "Yes." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was fire. You quite follow me?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "The King of Scandinavia." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the matter?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become hands. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I am armed." chambers. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "But of what society?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Absolutely none." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very prisoner's face. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my prison!" standing smiling on the door-step. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in deduce something from that?" was keenly on my guard against him. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "And who is her maid?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Who was the criminal, then?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, suspect him." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the burst out into a roar of laughter. digesting their breakfasts at home." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the overpowering excitement and concern. invisible to me," I remarked. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "How on earth--" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "On Monday." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened should be so warm over such a trifle." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Come in!" said Holmes. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Stoke Moran." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have established a very serious case against the son of the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "The best possible." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "The landlord of the Alpha." "I cannot imagine." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that he has suffered." main points of my analysis." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third look dissatisfied." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of his shoulders. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the coronet at all injured?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To floor. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "How can you tell that?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their gone. over here." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Do you receive much company?" he asked. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hand, madam?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few occupations.' carpenter." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "And for present expenses?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Breckinridge is his name." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper salesman. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the money should be paid at once.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my opened the door, and slipped through. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! vanished into the darkness. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "But you have hopes?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the that, and I came down." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous