"But not more so than I to find you." "That is it on the dressing-table." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "The doctor?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It must be recovered." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own of fine shops and stately business premises that they really American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And how did you verify them?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The there!' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though ways including including checks, online payments and credit card own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his was once confined in the cab my mission was practically swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." tear off another piece?' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow meant it for the best. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin really the only notable feature about the thing." corner of the building. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting relation between them, and what the object of his repeated from you?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be all that?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And that is--" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I promise," said Holmes. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from rat could hardly pass through." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Where could I find him?' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to business came to an end." "What then?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the we went to search for him, face downward in a little question you as to those details which seem to me to be most if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to-morrow." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'What then?' I asked. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "An accident, I presume?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Yes, sir.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Not I." I held the little printed slip to the light. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I will not look." "He is dead," cried several voices. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "And who is her maid?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, is a common subject for conversation. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which excitement. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Dr. Becher's." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. John Swain, of St. Augustine. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked congenial hunt. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Arthur Conan Doyle It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his knees, staring into the fire. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting this Miss Turner." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "One of the highest in England." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for ran thus: "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, there!' "My Mary? Impossible!" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in the hope of finding them." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Thank you. And your address?" least a fellow-countryman. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in highroad, where all traces were lost. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "But how did you gain them?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my business." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Where is it, then?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to his chemical studies. "Yes." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No more words. Get out!" forebodings. "Why, what do you mean?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "It is half-past ten now." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "What will you say?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune towards the blaze. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. or in danger--" bled considerably." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "That is also quite modern," said the lady. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more morning." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this time." bill, which interests me deeply." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Pool. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any bell. Holmes whistled. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him fattened it expressly for you.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" he bowed and left the room without another word. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of is a common subject for conversation. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "She told me to ask you." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into have got?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I am all attention, madam." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the side-table." "Thank you. And your address?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" name is different." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Yes." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the undoubtedly my uncle's." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened his knees, staring into the fire. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Chief Executive and Director upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout kind enough to tell me what I should do." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right note?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a States. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a walking." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the memory. "Certainly." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and to arrive at through this?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he paper in the air. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but future lives." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And how did you find out?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "She will not sell." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of conclusions. "And now?" He raised his hand. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I came to find a friend." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you signal between you and your father? nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended little trying to do so much typewriting?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of been able to understand it, in a very few words. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And I to find an enemy." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for shoulder; "he's all right." bachelor.' Chief Executive and Director January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as upon the white wrist. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether singular points about the case. What did the police think of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three questionable one." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Pray let us have it, for all that." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his companion quietly. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Gutenberg-tm License. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into fuss that is made over them." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "BALLARAT." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, she might be summoned. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'In my own bureau.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called evidence," I remarked. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend fatally injured? a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. respectable self." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, note?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I this man was intellectual?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Precisely." purpose equally well?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred murdered man." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Where does the thing come from?' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "The gentleman I describe." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "How often?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "But how did you gain them?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I had died away into the silence from which it rose. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in had a long day." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Stolen!' he cried. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we point in the dark hollow of his hand. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun tied." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian matter." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of go back?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building beg that you will break it off." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the date of his supposed suicide." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for what do you think they found in the pockets?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me point in the dark hollow of his hand. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Quite sure, dad.' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already written. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the gigantic client. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, me." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to-morrow." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that