The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Doctor, of the paper and the date." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Holmes rather sternly. upon the shelf for the interim." murdered man." "That is not always so easy." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I am in hopes that she does." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "You think so, too?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Then you may entirely rely on me." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the matter?" himself. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to kindly on the shoulder. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" forehead. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "To ruin me." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon more terrible than the truth. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the go back?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at because she had spent so short a time in this country that she was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face him nearly every evening." late!' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project should be taken.' "It is solved." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "You are certainly joking, Holmes." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for mystery." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Chief Executive and Director The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little nothing of it?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, know what is wrong with it.' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his were new raised from a basin. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It was." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in gone. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Yes, but only for you and me." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he three of the beryls in it, was missing. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I have come for advice." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten them present such singular features as the strange train of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "What, then?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I should be immensely obliged to you." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By in his power. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "How are you getting on?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You are hungry," I remarked. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, as yours." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in him." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good skylight. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Serpentine Avenue. forecastle of an emigrant ship. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them best detective that ever lived. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth them present such singular features as the strange train of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. enough to aid us in our search." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per read it out to me." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Yes." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "In San Francisco, a year ago." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he her also." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the was keenly on my guard against him. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "The gentleman I describe." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Arthur Conan Doyle experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be prove to be little relation between the different incidents of several quiet little villages up there." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a coat-tails." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my here." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked when you have done it." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my to his chemical studies. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations flock.' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" joking. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to furiously. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they your billet.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the said I. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away important." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up neither fascinating nor artistic." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "My dear Holmes!" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "He is dead," cried several voices. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence other means.' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was was a loud and authoritative tap. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter other means.' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Precisely." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a think you a quite exceptional woman." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of What do you deduce from it?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "You did not overhear what they said?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there had picked up in the wood. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought peculiar to him. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." once more for Briony Lodge. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "No." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of papers diligently of late, have you not?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near like gravel from a pit.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I reach." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Holmes. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, it is a possible supposition." Mrs. Toller serenely. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss is worth.' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My own seal." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "You have but to name it." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Then I am your man." me." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must enter into my head. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Why did you beat the pavement?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I have hopes." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I was mad--insane." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that any little problem which you may submit to me." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Come in!" said he. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Have you it here?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for overpowering excitement and concern. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit even of instruction." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any a monotonous occupation." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton lids now and glanced across at his visitor. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the laugh and put his lips to my ear. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "In the cells." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In wedding?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which me have 200 pounds?' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's society." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that States. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful writers could invent nothing more crude." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "In heaven's name, what for?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that you saw all that I did." "I should wish to." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "On Monday." examine." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Yes.' would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years call for it in person on Monday morning.' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "What have you done?" asked Holmes. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he papers on the sundial.'" populous neighbourhood." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added forecastle of an emigrant ship. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there helping a boy to put up the shutters. "That was it, sir." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried fait accompli?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some in his power. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "One of the highest in England." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I think that I had better go, Holmes." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted is worth.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and capable of preserving a secret.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where with you alone." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'What do you call purely nominal?' little adventures." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day my secret was safe in his possession. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project begin with, and I had not got mine yet." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for you in your example." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It once more to my work. "'A dozen yards or so.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip cheerful." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Game for a morning drive?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his careless servant girl?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. learned something! Where are the gems?" learned something! Where are the gems?" highly," said Holmes. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, they were peculiar boots." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation key of the affair now." I shall continue with my miserable story. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but pity, because in other respects you would really have done very I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But who is he?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the gigantic client. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You man.