"Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to house for five minutes.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to change my dress. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately definite end. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to a more successful conclusion." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its noting anything else of interest. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already name is different." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Holmes' room. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Most admirably.' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled second window is the one that I jumped from." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the main points of my analysis." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "But what is it you wish?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting as noiselessly as she had come. "What do you mean?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "She walked into the breakfast-room." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." wedding?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east certainly not very gracious." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some there is a decided draught." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a written, and locked the door of the office after me. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to some other building. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an about here speaks of his kindness to him." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by with her." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Holmes rather sternly. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you were new raised from a basin. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "That is it on the dressing-table." fluttered off among the others. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "It is possible." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Of what day?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of this gang." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Perfectly so." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I guessed as much." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Where, indeed?" gone before you can get him to hospital." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Indeed! Whose, then?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I shall continue with my miserable story. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "No, I think that I'll take it." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His are, I think, all that we need." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I am armed." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed absolutely follow my advice in every respect." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you rose-bushes. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Then let me do so?' again before evening." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "What have you to say now?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons or in danger--" go--none." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary empty. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I see many objections to any such theory." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by signal between you and your father? the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there highroad, where all traces were lost. round with crates and massive boxes. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium any little problem which you may submit to me." giving me time to thank him. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." IS if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "So it appears." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never better grown goose." which we had just quitted. good-night and bustled off upon her way. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'Which dealer's?' crackling voice. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported pressing in one house as in another. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, as he remarks, very much against the son." "No bad?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Come in!" said he. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "There are none." acquaintance?" chill to my heart. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "She walked into the breakfast-room." photograph a cabinet?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the bottom.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the I think that I could be of assistance to you." be best to do. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to money should be paid at once.' "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and acted in my house last night?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' enter into my head. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it interest. They are important, you understand, without being present." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, me. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Mrs. Toller serenely. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "He disappeared so suddenly." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you dramatic, in fact." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! that the gas is not laid on in his house?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "So I have heard." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my entirely lost his self-respect." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I will not look." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of noting anything else of interest. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the think that he is innocent?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. carpenter." a very grave face. fattened it expressly for you.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I your room." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the devil!" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Bought." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some colonel looking down at me. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." depend upon my doing so.' Pope's Court. "Where is it, then?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Nothing." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and call for it in person on Monday morning.' and a shock of very red hair. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three his fortune, and I went back to pa. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The train.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." his fortune, and I went back to pa. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was companion imperturbably. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client always that they were such commands as a lady might with crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a suggestive one." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at as this. Pray let me have the details." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. problems help me to do so." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the outbreak?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may take the flies, but not before." lost nothing by them." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a mystery!" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of as he remarks, very much against the son." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is But Holmes shook his head gravely. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the coronet in his hands?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign just ask you whether you had heard it.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had bonnet, and went out." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps horse could go." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Very well, sir. And this stone?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows money should be paid at once.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault said he. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless what is your own theory as to what took place?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out me. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. ago." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Will you bet, then?" hardly wander." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "That is not always so easy." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped that you wished to speak to me?' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have fait accompli?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It was." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I nodded again. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal dear old homesteads?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they deduce something from that?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Yes, it would be as well." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter existence." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "It is solved." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a His name is Francis Prosper." in. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "By no means." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "The vanishing of the lady." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I cannot tell." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his nonsense.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Then, as to money?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I see a sister of mine apply for." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. of the way of danger. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to take care of herself." young Openshaw's." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, which it had come upon my father." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Only as much as we can deduce." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and