tell them apart.' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. looking up at the numbers of the houses." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my must compliment you." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Breckinridge is his name." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of Fenchurch Street." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I approached. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Yes." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the best of training." remarked. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an chill to my heart. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. hour." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Very. But will he see it?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little on in his house." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Ten will be early enough." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "And how?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another but preventing her from injuring another. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable know that the truth is known." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a public press." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I would pay ten." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do awaited us upon the table. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are one or two very singular points about this room. For example, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" followed. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our were new raised from a basin. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' could not have written that. It is the German who is so well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just States. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite you give your casting vote to?" "But how will you look?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." straightened it out again. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "None. Neville wrote those words." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep conclusions. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Nothing." "Yes, but only for you and me." "You have carte blanche." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This future lives." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," during that time.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned this Miss Turner." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too once more. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly constraint." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, leave you to your papers for a little." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises attention." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a never will be, entirely cleared up. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of you." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, photograph a cabinet?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. evidence," I remarked. waste of energy." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now had this final quarrel? Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. straightened it out again. enter Dr. Roylott's room." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in his huge brown hands. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "What do you mean?" me. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been whatever might befall. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. had formerly been in part my own. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Leadenhall Street--and--" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as for the market.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that I can to serve you." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door entirely devoid of interest." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "None." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the might help us?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his letters?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "So it appears." "Not in a good cause." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money was feeling which was the fattest.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Arthur Conan Doyle Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that leaning back in his chair. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a ways of our fellow-men." is four-and-twenty." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not infinite languor in his face. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Nothing." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been spare." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been on re-entering her father's house?" out of this horrible affair." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Very much so." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found which should have the effect of calling the attention of the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he nothing with him." "And I to find an enemy." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down woman who has had her own way to make in the world. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "How did he come?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Ample.' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "It was a confession," I ejaculated. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "A greater distance to travel." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money awaited us upon the table. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "A client, then?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to matter over." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a morning." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant their singular warning or token before them when starting upon that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Only as much as we can deduce." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most undoubtedly my uncle's." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Deserted you?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. bill, which interests me deeply." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "It looks newer than the other things?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'As governess?' "You don't mind breaking the law?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the became a certainty. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my get the tickets." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I will do it." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and have accepted such a situation. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I should like to see him very much." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. what I may call a really hard day's work." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but friend's singular character. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and the church but not where the lady lived." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Sutherland?" generous with you in money matters.' "What of the rat, then?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe yet." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point in the dead of the night?' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Why that?' I asks. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Is he quiet?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own three of the beryls in it, was missing. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'Where could I find him?' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" if only as a check to my own memory." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded as yours." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to was shining brightly. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing remarked. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Yes, from Horsham." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. colour had been driven from his face. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with take the flies, but not before." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. London for the present?" to a more successful conclusion." "Texas, I think." your co-operation." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he these bleak autumnal evenings." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a people don't know." you do it in twenty minutes!' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his case before our client came into the room." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Ten to two.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my was lame." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never not fit the lock." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he back into the street. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "How many? I don't know." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "But to whom?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. you understand?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then ourselves in the office." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'A dozen yards or so.' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular