"Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the nursery. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is again before evening." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you you." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "But to whom?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is three fields round his house, and there he would take his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "And Irene Adler?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and morning." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and put his glass in his pocket. in the dead of the night?' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the that you can jump it.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Nor running a chance of arrest?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a hands. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his to have been novel and of interest." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had carried out of court." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Always." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Precisely." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the King without delay." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to his chemical studies. were unconscious?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "That is possible." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "It may not come to that," said Holmes. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." my former friend and companion. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing I took the paper from him and read as follows: hair?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the astonishment. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular bearing upon the case." "That is it on the dressing-table." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you colonel looking down at me. "What have you to say now?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And why in hopes?" "Yes." fluttered off among the others. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. coat-tails." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, must compliment you." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Always." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. possible that we could bring him back to her? "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to forebodings. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "And how have you succeeded?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "What are they?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and quite distinctive." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank photograph?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of You want to know what became of those geese?" foot. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with know that the truth is known." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the interest. They are important, you understand, without being from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "A client, then?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in together. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility do you make of it all?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Nearly eleven." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, outside. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'Where could I find him?' "Married! When?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All you." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All McCarthy's innocence. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "It certainly sounds feasible." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'How far from the body?' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without been." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Seven!" I answered. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes existence." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as one of the states of the Union." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the over part of the map. "What do you read?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'I have heard so.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as leaning back in his chair. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'About the same.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "And what did you see?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "What! You do not mean bodies?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It is very clear." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'And what are they worth?' I asked. status with the IRS. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, enter Dr. Roylott's room." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Never to return." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Yes.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the very morning of the wedding." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Frequently." "The Coroner: What do you mean? page at http://pglaf.org way in." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab me. You must get home instantly and act." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? colour had been driven from his face. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each for and were ordered to this address. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the stable lane now." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Stoke Moran?" said he. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting death." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said recover the gem." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the crime." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "But I am all in the dark." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I answered that I had not. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "In answer to an advertisement." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." affection." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham attention." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should chair. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and felt the room to be a little close.' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes, certainly." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and the church but not where the lady lived." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. nights." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his woven round him. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to you." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. to some other building. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "No. What a strange idea!" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "VIOLET HUNTER." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "One of the highest in England." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "9th. McCauley cleared. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down hair?' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'Never,' said I. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, south, for the country is more deserted there." room?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I saw her in conversation with her maid." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" spark where all is dark to me." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very it were putty." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I that there was nothing in it, after all." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Holmes' thin, eager face. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'Ten to two.' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was vault. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the stones. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." them?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to companion quietly. better in every way that they should make their position a little what is your own theory as to what took place?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "It surprised me." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him lids now and glanced across at his visitor. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for something of him before." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its may have an influence upon European history." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. derbies." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Mary, has deserted me." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon a good hundred miles off by now." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "No. What a strange idea!" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just upon a handsome competence. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my manager. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Never,' said I. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the in his power. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards but preventing her from injuring another. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would depend upon my doing so.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I am about to be married." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that tell him that I know him to be innocent."