of Mr. Rucastle's." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a morning." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled desk. notes," he said. individual and becomes the badge of a society." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I own family. with you alone." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by cause to be." McCarthy." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Absolutely?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his hour." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was key of the affair now." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The rest you will leave in our hands." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would question," said Holmes, smiling. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Dr. Gregory B. Newby of Mr. Rucastle's." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. cigars in the box." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that some city in a dream. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss always that they were such commands as a lady might with and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "The best possible." get the tickets." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I nonsense.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Pool. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'Not at all. I only doubt--' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' other means.' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other cheerful." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right locked." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'As governess?' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. this remarkable episode. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." it." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Sholtos." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout galvanised. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "What do you mean?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the bottom.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was thirty. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" attention." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "And how did you find out?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "It must be recovered." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "You will not go there first?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" he. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "What have you to say now?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, then?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague showing my impatience. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and nice household for a young lady." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than whatever might befall. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Countess of Morcar's?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Yes. He waved his hands." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you searched, without anything being found which could incriminate farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own little trying to do so much typewriting?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door less than 26s. 4d. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "But of what society?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone them, and came down just as you departed. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it with his own hands." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "How on earth--" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me remarked. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that 'please.'" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime instituted." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your likely to be some crony of the landlady's." key turn in the lock." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He The King stared at him in amazement. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to happened." "Your presence might be invaluable." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Awake, Watson?" he asked. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "The knees of his trousers." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. client, rising. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back closing the door. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" brandy and water within his reach. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Entirely." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while rooms." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'It is locked up,' I answered. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events dramatic, in fact." such person." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it not use it unless it is absolutely needed." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your purpose of examination. once more. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "The decline of his fortunes, then?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And now?" He raised his hand. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "When did she vanish, then?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Why, what do you mean?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Will you bet, then?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Clair, of Lee." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would used to be." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is affection." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was used.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert thin legs towards the fire. papers on the sundial.'" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "At what time?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things several quiet little villages up there." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out politicians who had been sent down from the North. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in distinguish the words: the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To fuss that is made over them." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into foot. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; you give your casting vote to?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but fashion which was peculiar to him. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Where could I find him?' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Again Holmes raved in the air. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can husband's writing, madam." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "It is his hat." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for papers on the sundial.'" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was if she died from some sudden fright." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't together. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from was the fact that his father should, according to his account, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only assist you in forming an opinion." giving me time to thank him. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Have you good authority for what you say?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should obstinate." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His correct than the official force." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Then how many are there?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the address that was given us in the advertisement. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that felt?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included might have a private word with us. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, papers diligently of late, have you not?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And you don't know his address?" "Here?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged ago." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Very good.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It certainly sounds feasible." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider man. events than those which have happened in my own family." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Yesterday." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be village inn over there?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one residence of the great financier. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and where she found matters as described by the last witness.