I. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Why, what do you mean?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker easy-going way." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the was shining brightly. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." forehead. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then had picked up in the wood. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I nodded to show that I had heard. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his to-night?' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I cannot tell." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Witness: I must still refuse. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes indeed which he could not unravel. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the in the port of London." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might events than those which have happened in my own family." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the nursery. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the new acquaintance to Baker Street. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and that he would see to anything that turned up. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Miss Holder?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But how did you gain them?" legal crime." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I you?' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a window when the police appeared." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before upon the shelf for the interim." "You have but to name it." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Stolen, then." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss meanly of me." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Then he might have called to you?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom gone before you can get him to hospital." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they empty. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to villagers almost as much as their master. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the rose-bushes. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing happened." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive best detective that ever lived. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a round and wave him away like that.' closely." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step developed." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'What are you doing there?' he asked. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he existence." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." very old mansion. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the that he has suffered." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an shadow pass over his face as I spoke. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "A thing like a cleaver," said he. at my own good fortune. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and the church but not where the lady lived." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Quite so. She has her freedom." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "How about poison?" cigars in their mouths. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." it." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Was your sister dressed?" "It is a murder, then?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking cup of tea. "Then I do not see the point." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the noting anything else of interest. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Yes.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your III. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will learned something! Where are the gems?" think that any burglar could have done. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls like that before?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, even so self-evident a thing as that." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And sit in the dark?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some bearing upon the case." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "How can you tell that?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had deduce something from that?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "That is it on the dressing-table." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, believe that I should never have any practice at all. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, yes, easily." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is with frightened eyes at his accuser. 11:15.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most make me his representative both with the servants and with the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest occupations.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And did you observe any change in her then?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and when your master had gone out." 1.E.9. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing guilty parties." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and it need not interfere very much with one's other He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "And how did you find out?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Why that?' I asks. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a papers must be those that are destroyed.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And Miss Sutherland?" my little problems." presume?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "My opinion is in no way altered." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the mystery may be cleared along those lines." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His business in the City. She little knew what. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Certainly." better in every way that they should make their position a little I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Game for a morning drive?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Whose house is it?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the lectures into a series of tales." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found best detective that ever lived. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He http://www.gutenberg.net "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, I have one waiting." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "How do you know, then?" that threaten you." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, outsides of the windows. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. strength." will he say when he returns?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hands. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock secret." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "And I to find an enemy." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I see many objections to any such theory." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be very peculiar words of the dying woman?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several own family. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Dr. Becher's." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project this poor creature." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You are hungry," I remarked. I leave." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the bedroom door." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "But how?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Have you her photograph?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "What office?" of the vacancies.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I careless servant girl?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's had no one to advise her at such a crisis." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." locked." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she crackling voice. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two weigh very heavily upon my conscience." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in more terrible than the truth. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Eyford at 11:15.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Eyford at 11:15.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser were new raised from a basin. have established a very serious case against the son of the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at matter over." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some undoubtedly my uncle's." "And I." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and this Miss Turner." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "What then?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I cannot imagine." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "But it has twice been burgled." crime. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "My last client of the sort was a king." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked written, and locked the door of the office after me. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Come in!" said Holmes. in my life." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It missed him, then?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? instincts rose up against that laugh. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "It certainly sounds feasible." "We must have a cab." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps results." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "What will you say?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, as yours." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and have an American origin." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Very. But will he see it?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fait accompli?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. me where it went to?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that I may have something better before very many minutes are