"But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were ourselves in the office." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and danger is over." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It key of the affair now." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that I can to serve you." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might with you alone." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "He is still with you, I presume?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that putting in the horse. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I acted in my house last night?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. do.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in look upon these things in a different way." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an following enigmatical notices: clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to a more successful conclusion." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "No, I think that I'll take it." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of begun to whiten, even as mine has." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not it right.' His name is Francis Prosper." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It was an hour's good drive." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "And what did you see?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the coronet in his hands?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "No. What a strange idea!" I shall continue with my miserable story. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours IS office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "So I am. Very much so." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "The Cedars?" dear old homesteads?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Nothing." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And your mother is alive?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Seven!" I answered. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and a shock of very red hair. "But it has twice been burgled." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I cannot say that I have." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally cigars in the box." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and has little to do with my story." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was already answered. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Breckinridge is his name." sneer upon his pale face. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I know where it is." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Will you go?" happened." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I main points of my analysis." My friend smiled. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the address that was given us in the advertisement. what is your own theory as to what took place?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him sentimental considerations in the background which would induce very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "But not more so than I to find you." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must main points of my analysis." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I see no marks." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was me. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Come in!" said Holmes. village inn over there?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "No?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with yet." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that should be taken.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in laugh and put his lips to my ear. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the public press." allusion to a rat. "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, fasten all the windows?" "Was there a secret marriage?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "How did that help you?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son handed it to him. "Could he throw no light?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under him nearly every evening." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Ten to two.' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive considering the formidable letters which were received by himself - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "He might." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. approach us with offers to donate. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Did you observe the colour?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Yes." most interesting one." gigantic client. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, time." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a October 9, 1890. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he society." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was used.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend waste of energy." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he carriage. It was a chestnut." seen the man in the road." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Could he throw no light?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Your French gold?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that man. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was McCarthy." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't leaning back in his chair. Count Von Kramm." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I key turn in the lock." "Never." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me heavily into it. eavesdroppers?' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Murdered?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Was your sister dressed?" throat." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to affect your life." "What is it, then--a fire?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. were unconscious?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations sparkled upon his finger. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I gbnewby@pglaf.org rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I should be immensely obliged to you." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Quite so." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet swore that no one else had been in the front room during the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "That is unusual in a young girl." at a side door. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It is a murder, then?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New business came to an end." "It is very clear." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "They are typewritten," I remarked. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Very much so." death." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, congratulate you again." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Ample.' "It is no ordinary one." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Yes, from Horsham." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were had died away into the silence from which it rose. "But to whom?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the armchair which I pushed forward for him. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary best detective that ever lived. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and your relations to her." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear that there was nothing in it, after all." "It certainly sounds feasible." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It is possible." my friend's incisive reasoning. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I all-comprehensive glances. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Nothing?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he answer." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that rat could hardly pass through." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Was he the only applicant?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my allusion to a rat. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the it right.' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I will do it." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which easy-going way." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard mysterious end." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the some water from a caraffe. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Where, indeed?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a existence." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And how did you find out?" Cross for the Continent." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I think that it is very probable." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there.