delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "To ruin me." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "What! Had he lost his wife?" overpowering excitement and concern. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that as this. Pray let me have the details." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "But how?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white strode off upon his way. bedroom door." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it showing my impatience. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Yes, all." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the little opening for the ventilator is." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might row." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had depend upon my doing so.' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of your most interesting statement." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was already answered. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Not in a good cause." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. to-night." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he closing the door. them present such singular features as the strange train of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his towards the blaze. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he must be when I saw the door open.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you detained." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the train.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been room. did not hear it also.' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." you." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal that the gas is not laid on in his house?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, made him keep the appointment." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "That was it, sir." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. mysterious business." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend thought that she would have been so carried away." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all more terrible than the truth. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to outside. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular him!" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken becomes even more simple." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Now, then, what's the last entry?" whatever might befall. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "No." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his vanished into the darkness. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "You are hungry," I remarked. "And now?" I asked. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his eyes and forehead. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "VIOLET HUNTER." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Was the window open?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "How long did she speak to this Alice?" excitement. enough to aid us in our search." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of daring than any effort of the imagination." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to even so self-evident a thing as that." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. this remarkable episode. "My private note-paper." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Was she in good spirits?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "And you thought he was pulled back?" vanished into the darkness. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. taking in every detail of the apartment. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "And you can do nothing until then?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the warnings." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Why did you pick him?" Have you good authority for what you say?" he bowed and left the room without another word. advice." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" spare." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in a very precise fashion." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Oh, no.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in help us in this matter." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fear." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "She told me to ask you." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the instincts rose up against that laugh. the child." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' dead, shall be safe with us." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this poor creature." might have a private word with us. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes cigars in the box." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "To ruin me." happened." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "What?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And help." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a was lame." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "A client, then?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "In answer to an advertisement." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Yes." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," dramatic, in fact." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs with the outside air!" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I say that I have solved it." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of bird of prey. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a one's self under obligations.' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of there!' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Murdered?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance in this way: The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He forebodings. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, seen the man in the road." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a kindly on the shoulder. "When did she vanish, then?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sound at heart." friends, not even his own brother. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful http://gutenberg.net/license). doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'Never.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some know that the truth is known." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my behind me. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked more solid." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, maiden herself was most instructive." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might some mystery and the punishment of some crime." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of the one which your family is now devouring." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes third from London." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. before, for it was considerably after midnight. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased there in twenty minutes." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return my former friend and companion. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "On Monday." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of strength of mind to control. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Who by?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "The landlord of the Alpha." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was charged with?" "Thank you. And your address?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'As governess?' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him security.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out of his shoulders. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you success. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Gutenberg-tm License. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and stammered. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, out." look upon these things in a different way." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Will you go?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Upon what point?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I time." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse.