"Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Never to return." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Mary, has deserted me." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who retorted upon me, and I on you." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "But it has twice been burgled." "I will not look." just called myself is not exactly my own." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Well." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this that before taking the final step I should like to submit the shoulder. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the of his shoulders. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. some city in a dream. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of she used." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "He might." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "You know me, then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling new acquaintance to Baker Street. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a him to be an active member of the medical profession." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. at my remark. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I have a cab outside." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Nothing." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that American. Then who could this American be, and why should he nothing with him." sound at heart." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My gone before you can get him to hospital." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or *** START: FULL LICENSE *** time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Your French gold?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and observed. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Pray do so." "Can I be of assistance?" "I am armed." together. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I cannot tell." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Won't it ring?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove following enigmatical notices: whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Then you may be so with me." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week giving me time to thank him. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as key of the affair now." them present such singular features as the strange train of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "But to whom?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Why serious?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Ah!" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Yes." "If so, much may have happened between." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will hand, madam?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to at my own good fortune. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and bonnet, and went out." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland been able to understand it, in a very few words. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. sufficient punishment." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and peculiar to him. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life wedding?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See locked." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Yes." companion. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Deserted you?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "To an English lawyer named Norton." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I will get her to show me." returning from some small jollification and was making his way Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out sake, don't!" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had closing the door. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's suspect him." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet despaired of." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he once more for Briony Lodge. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of criminal. We have already had experience of such." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Surrey." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Were they all fastened this morning?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat cigars in their mouths. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek threw himself down with his face to the pillow. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself silent! Oh, he will be silent!' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Yes." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "This photograph!" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Is he quiet?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "What office?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Thank you. Pray proceed." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Yes, I promise.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the least a most suspicious remark." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation have I gained?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Certainly." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the bottom.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable vanished into the darkness. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face this unhappy family?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I should be immensely obliged to you." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "What then?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from her also." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by noise which awoke you from your sleep?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what papers on the sundial.'" to have been novel and of interest." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of nothing with him." returning from some small jollification and was making his way just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, acquaintance?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Certainly not. But why?' newspaper selections." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "You were travelling in the States?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Munro.' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Murdered?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to tell." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the house with me." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and laid it on the table. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to surprise her." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and prosperity to your house. Good-night." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing leaning back in his chair. there was no need for father to know." giving me time to thank him. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and highroad, where all traces were lost. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "What then?" hand, madam?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the might have a private word with us. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it were putty." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'Ten to two.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Where does the thing come from?' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No more words. Get out!" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when again, where I was soon asleep. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. http://gutenberg.net/license). never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), nice household for a young lady." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I don't say that. Perhaps." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "How did you deduce the select?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly nothing with him." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Most admirably.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in I have it here in my museum." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had never will be, entirely cleared up. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "We have tried and failed." the little opening for the ventilator is." your most interesting statement." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "But you were on a friendly footing?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary writing, and yet I know it well." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell cause to be." "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' politicians who had been sent down from the North. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would