"Dirty?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And I." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "How did you deduce the select?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "It came here." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry desk. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down few hundred pounds.' "Yes." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "But you were on a friendly footing?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the warnings." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the devil!" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. have I gained?" "'Certainly not.' "Not particularly." straightened it out again. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that he has suffered." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he sneer upon his pale face. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but residence of the great financier. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss recall any case within my experience which looked at the first which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That memory. "'Yes, I promise.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' "You have but to name it." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe closely." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "The King of Scandinavia." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Of what?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But not more so than I to find you." the loss of it. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "But who is he?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want crackling voice. "Upon what point?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." your own bird, so if you wish--" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring it? Did I buy the geese off you?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he certainly do as you advise." to take care of herself." is now desirous of getting those letters back." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was on in his house." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is least a most suspicious remark." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "There is the writing." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "My own seal." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Yes." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed happened." married her." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have are, and they are waiting for us." been shamefully used." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Count Von Kramm." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." directors, with the result that you have seen." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If indeed happy." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously begun to whiten, even as mine has." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the his knees, staring into the fire. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the King without delay." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "But how will you look?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds memory. call it cruel." beg that you will break it off." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If very old mansion. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to business." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young The summons was a brief and urgent one. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Proceed, then." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that, and I came down." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Certainly." respectable self." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a third from London." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest fire. You quite follow me?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Here?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Very good.' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Why, it's a dummy," said he. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "What do you make of that, Watson?" "No sign of it?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Who was the criminal, then?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I never to learn it at all." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a for the market.' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "And how did you find out?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It is possible." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the general public were present, then?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "10th. John Swain cleared. excitement. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a bird I ate is country bred." definite end. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side friends, not even his own brother. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "But what harm can there be in that?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am himself in a perplexing position. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' again, where I was soon asleep. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom this Miss Turner." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Certainly,' I answered. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I am not easy in my mind about them." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "But how will you look?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to you." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for me upon any point which I do not make clear." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the matter." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I shall most certainly do so." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer made him keep the appointment." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I to a more successful conclusion." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore lost nothing by them." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't status with the IRS. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Yes, it was gone.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too whatever might befall. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and a room. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged questionable one." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which she might be summoned. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the coronet in his hand?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when orange pips. said he at last. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of such person." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I guessed as much." During two years I have had three consultations and one small really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "What steps will you take?" I asked. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but it? Did I buy the geese off you?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Holmes. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son on re-entering her father's house?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "How are you getting on?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to where she found matters as described by the last witness. hard-headed British jury." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his closely." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head are windows in it, of course?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." them, and came down just as you departed. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of Fenchurch Street." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too shall use the carriage to-night." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" comes from the middle window." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must this Miss Turner." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am could not account in any way for the presence of the missing look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the running down." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his was shining brightly. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the have got?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "If so, much may have happened between." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which again on its way. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "The Cedars?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was lame." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money that he will be back before evening." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Then the page we have seen--" "'As governess?' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I will get her to show me." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the bed, and you in that chair." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I will get her to show me." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel hand, madam?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "No, my brougham is waiting." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But we can't all be." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I heavy and sharp instrument." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Then I am your man." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on matters immensely." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much fat-encircled eyes. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "But he might be a bachelor." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this