back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to License. You must require such a user to return or "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "But how?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was silent! Oh, he will be silent!' distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old there were one or two details which were new to me. But the thought that she would have been so carried away." "Then what has happened to him?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" indeed happy." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Yes." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet him nearly every evening." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." appointment with me for six o'clock?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it me. You must get home instantly and act." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Mary, has deserted me." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of during which he might have communicated with his friend the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building think, you have already met." the ceiling. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. four million human beings all jostling each other within the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I maiden herself was most instructive." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's intimate personal affairs in this public manner." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee already been minutely examined." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "You don't mind breaking the law?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of neither fascinating nor artistic." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated tassel actually lying upon the pillow. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Look there!" said he. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I have hopes." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Will you go?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very sake, don't!" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes, it was twisted." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "But she will refuse." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Then you may be so with me." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "My own seal." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from DAMAGE. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative if only as a check to my own memory." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress electronic works Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about and put his glass in his pocket. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to business." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "But I am all in the dark." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" questioning and rather startled gaze. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an photograph?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which delighted to hear it," he said. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I don't say that. Perhaps." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Why, it's a dummy," said he. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And who is her maid?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an gbnewby@pglaf.org the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a is acting for the best. a monotonous occupation." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. burst out into a roar of laughter. may have an influence upon European history." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate gone. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little paper in the air. delighted to hear it," he said. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I easy-going way." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Then how many are there?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and cigar and let me expound." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my if she died from some sudden fright." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the I leave." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "No." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Upon what point?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "How do you know, then?" "One?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom maiden herself was most instructive." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace tension within him. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. three fields round his house, and there he would take his Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "What! You do not mean bodies?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" on re-entering her father's house?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs sentimental considerations in the background which would induce follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Precisely so. But how--" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at was a loud and authoritative tap. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, prisoner's face. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened outbreak?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "That is unusual in a young girl." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an better in every way that they should make their position a little to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Which dealer's?' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Yes." to Leatherhead. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying minor matters until to-morrow." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. shoulder; "he's all right." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little gone. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried relation between them, and what the object of his repeated done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and your Highness to the police-station?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. washing it down with a long draught of water. the date of his supposed suicide." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It is his hat." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Never." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the looking up at the numbers of the houses." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Was your sister dressed?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "We must have a cab." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship cigars in the box." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything may never be exposed to such a temptation." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." hard-headed British jury." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to was used.' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Certainly,' I answered. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to people in all walks of life. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't it right.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. relief. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "There is the writing." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the that license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of already been minutely examined." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be roused himself from his reverie. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "If so, much may have happened between." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he neither fascinating nor artistic." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And help." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, overpowering excitement and concern. over here." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "The knees of his trousers." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the his grey eyes. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "At what time?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from