"Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have had none more fantastic than this." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Then I shall certainly come." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And Miss Sutherland?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always him to go away.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of made him keep the appointment." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do disturbance in my wife." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying should be taken.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "It is half-past ten now." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "What can you not understand?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Pray do so." the salesman. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced disappearance of these gems?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police know all about it," he snarled. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "What!" he roared. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. upon an income of about 60 pounds." upon a handsome competence. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a strength of mind to control. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom man. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable questionable one." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but one's self under obligations.' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is of it with the greatest attention. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all will take you up to see the machine.' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to-night?" I asked. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with noble correspondent could be. derbies." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be hereditary King of Bohemia." Pool. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, think, you have already met." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the matter." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your could not have written that. It is the German who is so When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end there when the Rucastles went away." has little to do with my story." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently had died away into the silence from which it rose. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to standing smiling on the door-step. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was seven miles from Eyford Station.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended think, you have already met." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which signal between you and your father? empty. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the side-table." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "No more words. Get out!" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Murdered?" an introduction to him?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united without a word or a look. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the fear." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and if only as a check to my own memory." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Seven!" I answered. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit matters immensely." that I may have something better before very many minutes are fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet must be when I saw the door open.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no corner of the building. evidence," I remarked. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the tragedy. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Eh? What was that?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to disappearance of the bride.'" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite certainly not very gracious." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should fear." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to-night?' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always I am not easy in my mind about them." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to arrive at through this?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Deserted you?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'What do you call purely nominal?' where we are going." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be you?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would them?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The is so. I know all about McCarthy." been able to understand it, in a very few words. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which not come at once?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been over here." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for golden eyeglasses. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. footfalls from the street. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed of Mr. Rucastle's." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and nothing with him." sparkled upon his finger. notes," he said. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" minor matters until to-morrow." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Edgeware Road. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are this Miss Turner." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some her also." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my once more on the important position which you have been fortunate two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You have the photograph?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Where to?' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Yes, sir." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and the colonel ushered me in. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Eyford." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in his hands." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to signal between you and your father? Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked giving me time to thank him. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must gone. "I am following you closely," I answered. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "No?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and the church but not where the lady lived." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my or other trace. But how on earth--" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in father's place of business?" money should be paid at once.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "If I can be of use." "'Quite sure, dad.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Not social, then?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "And the murderer?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement you give your casting vote to?" "I say that I have solved it." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." hard-headed British jury." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. unkempt, staring out at me. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "In answer to an advertisement." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some strange features which were associated with the two crimes which once more. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "But your client--" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Countess of Morcar's?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did if I call to-morrow?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, arrangements." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads very morning of my second wedding." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had I nodded to show that I had heard. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Perfectly so." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "And your mother is alive?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "No, thank goodness, she did not." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little been able to understand it, in a very few words. for securing the situation." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Witness: I must still refuse. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which What do you deduce from it?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Lee, in the county of Kent." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Then you may entirely rely on me." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." throat." and I shall be with you presently." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the dangers which encompass me." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass what these perils are?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'As governess?' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Not in a good cause." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a assist you in forming an opinion." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Witness: I must still refuse. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down at once, for I have only half an hour." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into union?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see grasp, he hurried from the room. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but papers on the sundial.'" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed be best to do. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?"