"A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions is," said he presently: habit of advancing money.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa father's place of business?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was wedding?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in darkness. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "They are typewritten," I remarked. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the very morning of the wedding." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after ran thus: been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the introspective fashion. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it corner of the building. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I say it is." presume?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into must compliment you." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland key of the affair now." door?" lumber-room." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if of the one which your family is now devouring." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "And who is her maid?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to have accepted such a situation. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Nothing?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Your presence might be invaluable." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Heh?' better grown goose." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." place no limit on the sum I may draw." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was in him." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about occupations.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It is very kind of you." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was bled considerably." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If constraint." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "You horrify me." only touch the interest." "But he might be a bachelor." the devil!" in his power. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. was lame." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and hurried by. "You horrify me." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for side. wife's character?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I dates and names. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark cost them two and thirty pounds." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon than was visible to me." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case there." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a back into the street. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "You know me, then?" yet." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for prisoner's face. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It had picked up in the wood. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Witness: It was. "Nothing?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter which it had come upon my father." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "He disappeared so suddenly." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down arms and began to sob in a high treble key. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission points to suicide?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "You horrify me." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Surrey." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Never." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, make me his representative both with the servants and with the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Then I shall certainly come." "Yes." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved advice." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Will you bet, then?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me think that any burglar could have done. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I nodded to show that I had heard. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or vanished into the darkness. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Yes, sir.' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sneer upon his pale face. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the a little more before I quite committed myself. that he will be back before evening." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Yes, sir.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought forecastle of an emigrant ship. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the throat." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running your room." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in done what I asked you, Jones?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," congenial hunt. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And the murderer?" my former friend and companion. constraint." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. fat-encircled eyes. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the happened." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for room. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Then you may entirely rely on me." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a writer." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. events, Mr. Windibank!" cup of tea. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were putting in the horse. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a views." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at gives a meaning to it." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "We were both in the photograph." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Lee, in the county of Kent." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given been able to understand it, in a very few words. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the in one or two places in England?' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if was the fact that his father should, according to his account, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and have this put in the evening papers." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, had a long day." electronic works "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming see a sister of mine apply for." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It is a murder, then?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having events than those which have happened in my own family." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Doctor, of the paper and the date." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for hard-headed British jury." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I was mad--insane." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "What, then?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Certainly." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to surprise her." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and cigars in the box." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" cigars in their mouths. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the him to go away.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Indeed! Whose, then?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that I can to serve you." entirely lost his self-respect." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a ways of our fellow-men." "Could he throw no light?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the just called myself is not exactly my own." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "There are none." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, face and glided from the room. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he coat-tails." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Countess of Morcar's?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm for its centre. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Lee, in the county of Kent." "What will you do, then?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "No." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have been better. It is all right." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, married her." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and your relations to her." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry acted in my house last night?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "But I am all in the dark." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." call the police, let the police find what they can.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "He slept on the premises." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us been able to understand it, in a very few words. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly mysterious business." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction strength of mind to control. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "About a month then." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "She will not sell." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to thirty. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to surprise her." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the roots. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was morning." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but fishes. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the observed. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "And I say east," said my patient. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. not, dad?" she asked. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For vault. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable