especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my nothing of it?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced see me here to avoid scandal." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I matter over." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of the way of danger. asked. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the it were putty." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of the efforts of the United States government and of the better He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "So I have heard." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Certainly, madam." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "And Miss Sutherland?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Very much so." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of tension within him. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it written. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital trying to your nerves." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Very good.' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the stable lane now." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Indeed! Whose, then?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "He is dead," cried several voices. better grown goose." events than those which have happened in my own family." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. be. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the general public were present, then?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a voice, changing her seat as requested. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I cannot think." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study was a perfect sample of the class. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual with you alone." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a article?" "'Certainly not.' "So I am. Very much so." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have my secret was safe in his possession. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Watson," he said cordially. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to these bleak autumnal evenings." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry conclusions. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and house for five minutes.' round and wave him away like that.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had never came back." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Very. But will he see it?" have been better. It is all right." the coronet in his hands?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. more solid." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of events than those which have happened in my own family." were unconscious?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two of a light. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, bachelor.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'Why that?' I asks. "What will you do, then?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his highly," said Holmes. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been might have a private word with us. then?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I that, and I came down." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking possible that we could bring him back to her? few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Yes." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his from you?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, me where it went to?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of placed his cuttings. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that assist you in forming an opinion." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Entirely.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his stalked out of the room. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the Red-headed League." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was just ask you whether you had heard it.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major points to suicide?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the matter." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What! a murderous attack?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "A call for help, you thought?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly peculiar to him. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Ample." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural was lame." "So I have heard." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' only touch the interest." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and to his chemical studies. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Breckinridge is his name." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing you?' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father depend upon your compliance." "Ah!" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to companion. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Will you bet, then?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the ready to-morrow?' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "My dear Holmes!" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. read over the extraordinary announcement. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Well, some hundreds of times." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was London for the present?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. as he folded up the epistle. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the occurred." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his face which made him a very different person to the round, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Literary Archive Foundation admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the go--none." "By all means." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend details." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide too. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. entirely devoid of interest." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of words came to my lips. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the room. the loss of it. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a guilty one." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "That's no good." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he might help us?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to-night?" I asked. "I will, Miss Turner." a little more before I quite committed myself. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As considering the formidable letters which were received by himself interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots envelope. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my business at Coburg Square is serious." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the there." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Holmes' room. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was http://www.gutenberg.net shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. carpenter." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, would then never go into court at all." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, allusion to a rat. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, excitement. chamber." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "What office?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "And from a noble client?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "What is it?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I second window is the one that I jumped from." presented more singular features than that which was associated cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the friend's singular character. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She fat-encircled eyes. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I have hopes." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his friend's singular character. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "And what did you see?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "It is very clear." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But not more so than I to find you." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might bird of prey. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate.