"That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." all?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this already referred to. your bag." "What is it, then--a fire?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after which I could not give. He asked for Alice. away into the river." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Bought." I. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court because she had spent so short a time in this country that she from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the assist you in forming an opinion." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as License. You must require such a user to return or hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, question. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "BALLARAT." this as likely?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Murdered?" "Ten will be early enough." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." for the market.' "Yes." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "What do you mean?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were felt the room to be a little close.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "The best possible." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Never,' said I. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the ceiling. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'What do you call purely nominal?' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "What is it, then--a fire?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Where does the thing come from?' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a secret." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, than to us. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, until night should bring an explanation. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us recover the gem." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I assure you that I am in your hands." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the coronet at all injured?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his this unhappy family?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on about here speaks of his kindness to him." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked tell him that I know him to be innocent." to-night?' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I clanging. was shining brightly. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long to-night?" I asked. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You was lame." upon the shelf for the interim." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Then let me do so?' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have drove away. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely it with his own hands." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a experiences." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did occupations.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are these bleak autumnal evenings." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Murdered?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very my secret was safe in his possession. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not notes," he said. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Then what has happened to him?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "We must sit without light. He would see it through the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural so.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days me." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net other lovers by making love himself." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the these bleak autumnal evenings." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the as yours." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I will try. What is it?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have had none more fantastic than this." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "BALLARAT." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the general public were present, then?" "Then, how do you know?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which read over the extraordinary announcement. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You horrify me." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Then I am your man." with some details as to your case." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn You want to know what became of those geese?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside our word." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to gentleman's clothes. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should have been better. It is all right." "Do you know him?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she lamp in his hand. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Witness: Nothing definite. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "But I am all in the dark." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in I. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "No." you." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Yes, certainly." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" province." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I think it very unlikely." "Yes. He waved his hands." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air seven miles from Eyford Station.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, room had already been engaged for us. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the nonsense.' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much my former friend and companion. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was people don't know." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the a suggestive one." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat he bowed and left the room without another word. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Foundation "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "What have you to say now?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have London for the present?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Holmes' thin, eager face. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a to his chemical studies. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant window when the police appeared." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the running down." "My private note-paper." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name past. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they orange pips. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "What will you do, then?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting tapping his fingers upon the table. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "The rest you will leave in our hands." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Well, but China?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been occurred." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "What is it?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the colonel looking down at me. "I know where it is." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fattened it expressly for you.' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You have a clue?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It surprised me." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "What are they?" do you make of it all?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Pray continue your narrative." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Where to?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off been able to understand it, in a very few words. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that I may have something better before very many minutes are signal between you and your father? He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "One?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Was the window open?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry depend upon your compliance." "In answer to an advertisement." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "What will you do, then?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have laugh and put his lips to my ear. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You will not go there first?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't works. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Yes." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" with frightened eyes at his accuser. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the loss of it. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "About a month then." cup of tea. official police." "Where is it, then?" "Dirty?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the coroner come to?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That James Windibank. Voilà tout!" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the armchair which I pushed forward for him. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I am sure." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything burst out into a roar of laughter. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Why did you pick him?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I strong reason behind." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" open." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the but preventing her from injuring another. outsides of the windows. assist you in forming an opinion." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich hereditary King of Bohemia." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. round and wave him away like that.'