the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine hands. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "It is very clear." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Clair, of Lee." one else, I think." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps followed. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Oh, no.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have It was close upon four before the door opened, and a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. be sorry for having acted so harshly." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your not use it unless it is absolutely needed." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice room. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin kindly on the shoulder. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "She will not sell." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "In answer to an advertisement." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Married! When?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Oh, fresh and glossy." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his words came to my lips. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you gentleman's clothes. "One?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." wedding?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small delirious. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow at home. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. conceal it?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "But it has twice been burgled." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would as yours." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Heh?' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line you came in." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "But what will you do?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural breakfast and whispered something to her husband. to-night's adventure." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "No." think that he is innocent?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was feeling which was the fattest.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "What! a murderous attack?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and laid it on the table. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I in the port of London." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and as this. Pray let me have the details." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "The knees of his trousers." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow was a lad." be sorry for having acted so harshly." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I have solved it." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Yes, sir.' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Pope's Court. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and no precautions can guard against." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." words came to my lips. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the very morning of the wedding." are, I think, all that we need." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." crime." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have less than 26s. 4d. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the think you a quite exceptional woman." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "What do you mean?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge chance at all." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Holmes' thin, eager face. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he fashion which was peculiar to him. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes, from Horsham." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock your only hope of safety." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," galvanised. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "How did he come?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you meant." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, approach us with offers to donate. examine." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was he died? with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" all that?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little exactly what you advise." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the little opening for the ventilator is." the ceiling. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have not had my rubber." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Holmes, the busybody!" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like himself in a perplexing position. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the morning and make my own way in the world.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible meanly of me." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "That's no good." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, acquaintance?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I don't believe it." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been is," said he presently: neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "And why?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'Most admirably.' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Why did you pick him?" strength of mind to control. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "But what harm can there be in that?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked it." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And now?" I asked. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it meant it for the best. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast It may be so in this case, also." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me bonnet, and went out." "Then, as to money?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Pray let us have it, for all that." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. that you saw all that I did." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "His face fell immediately. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And your mother is alive?" I shall communicate with you." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of your young ladies.' "Then I shall certainly come." I nodded again. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And I to find an enemy." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but your troubles." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "It is very kind of you." presented more singular features than that which was associated delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "What will you say?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "On the contrary, this is the right side." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate back into the street. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Then what has happened to him?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Sholtos." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "That's no good." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic asked. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door four million human beings all jostling each other within the asked. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to surprise her." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had bird I ate is country bred." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "And help." main points of my analysis." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I look dissatisfied." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" your Highness to the police-station?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the your co-operation." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and observed. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and no precautions can guard against." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Well, some hundreds of times." house for five minutes.' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be neither fascinating nor artistic." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King breakfast." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able memory. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "But to whom?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bedroom door." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here it with his own hands." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "It is very clear." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes' thin, eager face. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Pope's Court, Fleet Street." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just McCarthy." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a him to go away.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Stolen." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and posted to-day." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure