Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "A client, then?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him cause to be." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Always." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been throat." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that thirty. sufficient punishment." your billet.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as distinguish the words: tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' this remarkable episode. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the families. Now for the facts. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his entirely lost his self-respect." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "He slept on the premises." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a narrative." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I say it is." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I see no marks." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "And what did you see?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Dirty?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." colour had been driven from his face. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "And how did you verify them?" points to suicide?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Certainly not. But why?' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "A client, then?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these bears upon the case?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue without success. At last the little money which I had saved began occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that should be taken.' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two it? Did I buy the geese off you?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey taking in every detail of the apartment. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones success. matter." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. pictures, libraries, or plate. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'What do you call purely nominal?' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I later, upon the night of May 2nd." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been green of the new foliage. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the floor. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of enter into my head. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "It is very kind of you." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lamp. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Yes, but only for you and me." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "No, my brougham is waiting." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is," said he presently: with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the Red-headed League." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying away to you." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "What steps will you take?" I asked. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who from the brougham. "And leave your case unfinished?" himself to tell his story. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the true." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. feature." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I am to be neutral?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the strength." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to talk it over. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the all-comprehensive glances. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled time." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in said Mr. Holder. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "What are they?" envelope. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Yes." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he meant it for the best. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I think it very unlikely." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his answered with a sidelong glance. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I have my revolver," said I. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive window when the police appeared." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "And now?" I asked. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "And what did you learn from him?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name use an arc-and-compass breastpin." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every union?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from jewels which you have stolen?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Street. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that there was nothing in it, after all." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Well, some hundreds of times." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' fluttered off among the others. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point was a loud and authoritative tap. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion directors, with the result that you have seen." hair?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Witness: It was. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is ago." in the hope of finding them." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "But it has twice been burgled." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I cannot tell." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." over here." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Which are?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to man. I know him from the photograph." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, she might be summoned. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I held the little printed slip to the light. Does that suggest anything?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his side. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who crackling voice. back into the street. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "That is it on the dressing-table." "That is not always so easy." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection views." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A quickly through a disagreeable task. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he row." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little during which he might have communicated with his friend the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to of Mr. Rucastle's." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, little trying to do so much typewriting?" away to you." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into residence of the great financier. she to prove their authenticity?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face which our visitor detailed to us. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at as noiselessly as she had come. discontent upon his features. clang of the bell. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend conceal it?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Absolutely?" if only as a check to my own memory." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, prison!" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of he died? All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the John Swain, of St. Augustine. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached man. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days that he will be back before evening." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the so.' in him." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. floor. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of." ago." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I cannot as yet see any connection." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "The murder was done with it." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "What then?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my yet." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family do.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by there has been an enclosure here!" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed suspect him." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Nearly eleven." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a as noiselessly as she had come. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some introspective fashion. certainly do as you advise." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Pray continue your narrative." again before evening." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage papers diligently of late, have you not?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "At the wedding breakfast." the Assizes." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and furiously. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Oh, the cause is excellent!" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's them, and came down just as you departed. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates examine." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Nothing?" "How do you know, then?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and