"Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'I am sure if I had known--' best detective that ever lived. and all of them with the keenest interest. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a again before evening." the salesman. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Never." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'Certainly,' I answered. joking. province." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Your French gold?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "No good news?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize man. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." window when the police appeared." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Heh?' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing reach." "The murder was done with it." here and I will read it to you: things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right bore every mark of being an average commonplace British blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly compunction about shooting them down." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Why? What do you mean?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was my secret was safe in his possession. bonnet, and went out." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little opportunities to fix the problem. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "My own seal." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing highroad, where all traces were lost. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you understand?" noting anything else of interest. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation anything to do with the matter?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say thin legs towards the fire. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, is four-and-twenty." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Farm upon the left." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the tragedy. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And your mother is alive?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias placed his cuttings. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the devil!" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Is purely nominal.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and was keenly on my guard against him. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Indeed! Whose, then?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as said I. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. all-comprehensive glances. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with but preventing her from injuring another. to you." the roots. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be which our visitor detailed to us. that I can to serve you." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect rat could hardly pass through." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the ceiling. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case your only hope of safety." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Mary, has deserted me." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." my secret was safe in his possession. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official more solid." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I am in hopes that she does." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Pope's Court, Fleet Street." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. London for the present?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I know where it is." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall waste of energy." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen his forehead." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Precisely so. But how--" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "But your client--" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'And what salary do you ask?' "At what time?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." very morning of my second wedding." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything instituted." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'I am sure that I do not know.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at in this note: are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case hard-headed British jury." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever business." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle jewels which you have stolen?' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the little opening for the ventilator is." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "But not more so than I to find you." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a felt the room to be a little close.' "Pray continue your narrative." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Not him." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door paper in the air. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in matter." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the nursery. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes, sir." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a answer." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get had no one to advise her at such a crisis." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a indeed which he could not unravel. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the introspective fashion. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'About the same.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "By all means." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Pray do so." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a learned something! Where are the gems?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to you in yours." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the that, and I came down." "Nothing." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. at once, for I have only half an hour." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The police have openly confessed that they can at present make heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was cup of tea. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe remarked. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot absorbing." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "You know me, then?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the window, rose as we entered. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence situation." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial stalked out of the room. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "The knees of his trousers." during which he might have communicated with his friend the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You think so, too?" not come at once?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'A dozen yards or so.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and even so self-evident a thing as that." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Texas, I think." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the dangers which encompass me." "I don't say that. Perhaps." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Bought." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am nothing with him." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had joking. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a back to my heart. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and wait." mysterious end." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." business?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in gentleman's clothes. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'Entirely.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of October 9, 1890. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit happened." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. you do it in twenty minutes!' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with down. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "He slept on the premises." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! questionable one." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact photograph?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the loss of it. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang daring than any effort of the imagination." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the second." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the remarked. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was opportunities to fix the problem. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him dates and names. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Not him." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very dead, shall be safe with us." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "What steps will you take?" I asked. her also." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called III. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was