"It's nothing of the kind." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "But how?" tear off another piece?' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my indiscretion." dates and names. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Ha! you find it so?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after room had already been engaged for us. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as with some details as to your case." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I say it is." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in straightened it out again. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "And you can do nothing until then?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which this as likely?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of the efforts of the United States government and of the better successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Yesterday." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." any more." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses take the flies, but not before." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." cheerful." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. heavy and sharp instrument." if she died from some sudden fright." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Well." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the tragedy. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he License. You must require such a user to return or glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you his cane at the bell-pull. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my voice, changing her seat as requested. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been burst into a hearty fit of laughter. purpose of examination. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem round and wave him away like that.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon friend's singular character. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." that you saw all that I did." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and stalked out of the room. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fait accompli?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'I have already given you my word.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered The note was undated, and without either signature or address. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this in. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power chambers. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a see a sister of mine apply for." and inquire as to the address." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in his power. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all entirely lost his self-respect." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the station." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must golden eyeglasses. before, for it was considerably after midnight. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing helping a boy to put up the shutters. head. So long, then!" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "On Monday." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders but preventing her from injuring another. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bird I ate is country bred." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Again Holmes raved in the air. what these perils are?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'Yes, sir.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Yes." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he you." lamp in his hand. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "And when will you call?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Was there a secret marriage?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and highroad, where all traces were lost. him to go away.' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Witness: It was. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a again on its way. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was ashen face. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; acquaintance?" beyond words. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the devil!" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Holmes' room. peculiar to him. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Yes, it was gone.' success. you." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and take the flies, but not before." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each said I. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the driver. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Stoke Moran." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," less than 26s. 4d. "And how did he make his money?" "He said too much." own family. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the my room." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut was keenly on my guard against him. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. enter into my head. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them minor matters until to-morrow." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes, that is the Crown." him!" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, client, rising. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "The King of Scandinavia." said he. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the it means?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight swore that no one else had been in the front room during the strong reason behind." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. long narrative. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Holmes. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And you thought he was pulled back?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his at once, for I have only half an hour." "Yes, sir." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the matter." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I am sure." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'And the work?' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Why did you beat the pavement?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic distance from the station, and there we found the young lady took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle occurred." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Miss Holder?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Pray do so." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs plantation.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. again, where I was soon asleep. them, and came down just as you departed. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings husband's writing, madam." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to reach." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Sutherland?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Nothing." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to you." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this him nearly every evening." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which ways of our fellow-men." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my trying to your nerves." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Sutherland?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing of the one which your family is now devouring." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "What is it?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "We have tried and failed." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more meant." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the side-table." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I warn you that they are very incomplete." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a shaken than I had ever seen him. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have I. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the sound at heart." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Why did you beat the pavement?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. colonel looking down at me. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Ha! you find it so?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The spare." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger gentleman's clothes. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing as he remarks, very much against the son." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense mysterious end." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible amused." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had particular state visit http://pglaf.org through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I is so. I know all about McCarthy." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Is purely nominal.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? against a man in the prime of life?" IS crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Surrey." "Pray do so." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis your room." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to which was all perfectly true. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was relief. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Witness: It was. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know seen the man in the road." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly answer." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And get the tickets." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." to-night?' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no absorbing." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. despaired of." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I which we had just quitted. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say golden eyeglasses.