that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Yes, certainly." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and fire. You quite follow me?" "'Then let me do so?' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and laid it on the table. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "He might." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" I shall continue with my miserable story. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have only touch the interest." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the light and attacked it." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Breckinridge is his name." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "And how in the world did you find them?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. His name is Francis Prosper." "It is solved." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address over here." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I you." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. when you have done it." meant." bled considerably." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I see many objections to any such theory." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a with you?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an kind enough to tell me what I should do." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Yes." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." fashion which was peculiar to him. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, For additional contact information: "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fashion which was peculiar to him. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "No, I think that I'll take it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. tapping his fingers upon the table. of receipt of the work. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "And why?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always colonel looking down at me. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I cannot say that I have." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." entirely devoid of interest." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen drove away. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet come either from the window or the door. My attention was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'I have already given you my word.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his cigar and let me expound." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "A greater distance to travel." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'I have heard so.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" The King stared at him in amazement. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Your French gold?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call you." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here distance from the station, and there we found the young lady - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him read over the extraordinary announcement. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which it had come upon my father." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled for and were ordered to this address. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all ventilator." "And when will you call?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? into the bag, and made for the door. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "And help." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall closing the door. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it my little problems." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "And on what day did he meet his death?" States. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Countess of Morcar's?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "What! Had he lost his wife?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Lee, in the county of Kent." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Bought." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train congratulate you again." there when the Rucastles went away." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough straightened it out again. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'I have already given you my word.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes matter over." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, here and I will read it to you: "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the seven miles from Eyford Station.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some good-night and bustled off upon her way. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and looked back. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Why did you beat the pavement?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "He said too much." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "But the mystery?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "By no means." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy cigars in their mouths. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the a good hundred miles off by now." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small lips." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that feature." "That is it on the dressing-table." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' undoubtedly my uncle's." asked. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really companion. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had could not have written that. It is the German who is so retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "And you don't know his address?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Whose house is it?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "And the murderer?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can crowd. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Upon what point?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You think so, too?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, important." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, think that any burglar could have done. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, dear old homesteads?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the note?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I am following you closely," I answered. leave you to your papers for a little." definite end. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Witness: I must still refuse. "I will, Miss Turner." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Murdered?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in jewels which you have stolen?' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "He slept on the premises." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door corner of the building. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a relief. "And I." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police opened the door, and slipped through. come either from the window or the door. My attention was increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good John Swain, of St. Augustine. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Who was the criminal, then?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he happened." "Always." that you wished to speak to me?' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." putting in the horse. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "It surprised me." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the salesman. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I am sure." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? helping a boy to put up the shutters. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Do you go out much in society?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of your young ladies.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two dear old homesteads?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "And why?" throat." so.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Leadenhall Street--and--" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle leave you to your papers for a little." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest