place, I think that there is good ground to think that the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. respectable self." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "How can you tell that?" unclasping of his long thin hands. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock reach." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm confronted him. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. did not hear it also.' a suggestive one." my friend's incisive reasoning. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural bedroom door." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small you." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It there were one or two details which were new to me. But the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By no means." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but is so. I know all about McCarthy." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "By no means." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said bachelor.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Yes." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the stable lane now." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the entirely lost his self-respect." "You are all wrong." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Absolutely?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You are all wrong." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Who by?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." always that they were such commands as a lady might with horse could go." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened My friend smiled. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the a suggestive one." not, dad?" she asked. the south-west, I see." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "But to whom?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "What! Had he lost his wife?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying DISSOLVED. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means certainly do as you advise." wedding?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me from the brougham. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic through." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'A dozen yards or so.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I know where it is." "Not in a good cause." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would bed dies. Does not that strike you?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Witness: I must still refuse. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" go back?" "I should wish to." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "By no means." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what goes." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "And your mother is alive?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Well, it is a possible supposition." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to them?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the narrative." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Where is it, then?" true." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! have had none more fantastic than this." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I will not look." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting lips." depend upon your compliance." be.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Upon what point?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for some terrible trap for her." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, I have one waiting." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence have got?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. down. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled should be so warm over such a trifle." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey maid will bring up your coffee." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the bed, and you in that chair." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had his cane at the bell-pull. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little prison!" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders very morning of my second wedding." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place been." "VIOLET HUNTER." three of the beryls in it, was missing. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I am following you closely," I answered. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the King without delay." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This anything to do with the matter?" "No good news?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after speckled band?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but photograph a cabinet?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Was there a secret marriage?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I brain must have something in it." the address that was given us in the advertisement. there in twenty minutes." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "And for present expenses?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm disappearance of the bride.'" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, closely." "Deserted you?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'I am sure that I do not know.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Do you know him?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. What do you deduce from it?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate a room. entirely devoid of interest." tell him that I know him to be innocent." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. leaning back in his chair. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Yes, it was twisted." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the night.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I shall be delighted." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside coroner's jury." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and the whole place is in a blaze." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we asked with his eyes open. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I think it very unlikely." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Doctor, of the paper and the date." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small God! What an exposure! What can I do?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. helping a boy to put up the shutters. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sooner or later she must fall a victim. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" your own bird, so if you wish--" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black to-night?' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Tired-looking or fresh?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. business at Coburg Square is serious." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of it with the greatest attention. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Yes, from Horsham." "And your mother is alive?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together works. See paragraph 1.E below. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Precisely." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly advice." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That horse could go." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left eavesdroppers?' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the business at Coburg Square is serious." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Why did you beat the pavement?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'Never.' "To the police?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded your room." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in a very precise fashion." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You are all wrong." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful a monotonous occupation." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter pierced for earrings?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," next day. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes, they were peculiar boots." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he dead, shall be safe with us." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "And for present expenses?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of campaign. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he about here speaks of his kindness to him." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To