of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Yes, I promise.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "What! a murderous attack?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" prisoner's face. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when then?" "What can you not understand?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Cross for the Continent." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave asked. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his call you and give you the chance." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we some mystery and the punishment of some crime." ways of our fellow-men." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Eh? What was that?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for gone. footfalls from the street. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Why that?' I asks. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the you understand?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think one which it was hard to resist. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the so-precious time, but come!' cigars in the box." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four threw himself down with his face to the pillow. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the soul! here is her carriage at the door." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his not as remarkable as your advertisement." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Have you good authority for what you say?" "Did your wife hear all this?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "A call for help, you thought?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of my secret was safe in his possession. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Your presence might be invaluable." "At half-wages, in fact." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the tension within him. next day. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the once more for Briony Lodge. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "But of what society?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent my former friend and companion. is a common subject for conversation. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush late!' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. certainly not very gracious." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" quite distinctive." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was obstinate." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in compunction about shooting them down." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some important." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "He might." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between spark where all is dark to me." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we who was a member of your goose club." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your direction." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of Fenchurch Street." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter extraordinary contortions. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. is now desirous of getting those letters back." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to his chemical studies. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a money should be paid at once.' events, Mr. Windibank!" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, ashen face. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is instituted." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare redistribution. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of my friend's incisive reasoning. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. returning from some small jollification and was making his way was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I should be immensely obliged to you." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each head. So long, then!" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I fear not." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may both be extremely obliged.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And you can do nothing until then?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and capable of preserving a secret.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against be. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my companion quietly. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Yes." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "How on earth--" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided have established a very serious case against the son of the "How do you know, then?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." were unconscious?" forehead. congenial hunt. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the one's self under obligations.' he bowed and left the room without another word. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his prepare for the new role I have to play." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Where is it, then?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "No, my brougham is waiting." instincts rose up against that laugh. "What is it, then--a fire?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a derbies." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Yes.' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing national property. I was determined that the law should have its this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my signal between you and your father? immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the name is different." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon did not hear it also.' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much are, and they are waiting for us." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Proceed, then." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "You horrify me!" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a yourselves in at night?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in stood on the top of it. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." place of silver." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during intrusion of other matters." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the coroner come to?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry other, as fresh and trim as possible. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he flock.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." might help us?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "And the murderer?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate like that before?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a morning." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can back alive. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate married her." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to arrested. You then--" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa strode off upon his way. your only hope of safety." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." thought that she would have been so carried away." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On not come at once?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought he. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far if I call to-morrow?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the window, rose as we entered. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the of your young ladies.' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the ceiling. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Why did you pick him?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." mystery." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It is possible." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six McCarthy's innocence. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I am in hopes that she does." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they character. "'It is locked up,' I answered.