long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "And your father? Did you tell him?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "How do you know, then?" October 9, 1890. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "He slept on the premises." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Do you receive much company?" he asked. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Then you may be so with me." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous money should be paid at once.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out will not take me long to tell. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best used to be." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found better grown goose." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always house for five minutes.' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the himself. ashen face. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "No, I think that I'll take it." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite my former friend and companion. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of any more." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Lee, in the county of Kent." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, tell them apart.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you it were putty." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "No." purpose equally well?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless not, dad?" she asked. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Chief Executive and Director any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works there." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, than was visible to me." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Cross for the Continent." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to never will be, entirely cleared up. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "He said that you could solve anything." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' fear." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert cigars in the box." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Certainly,' I answered. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Why that?' I asks. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there purpose equally well?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and his forehead." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Count Von Kramm." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." For additional contact information: Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that green of the new foliage. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And how did he make his money?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Very. But will he see it?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And I say east," said my patient. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off make me his representative both with the servants and with the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands is now desirous of getting those letters back." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Who by?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Yes." "His face fell immediately. what these perils are?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said she used." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She outside. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a knowledge of the world." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose characteristics, but those are the more obvious." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Then you may entirely rely on me." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers child?' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Yes, sir.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, with the outside air!" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the whether it answered to the description of any of their money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "That also I could fathom." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Did he not advertise?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door in his hands." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty prepare for the new role I have to play." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of shoulder. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I or in danger--" constraint." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of one's self under obligations.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was call the police, let the police find what they can.' lost nothing by them." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Cross for the Continent." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I answered that I had not. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. good for you to do.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I fear not." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the this man was intellectual?" back into the street. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have read it out to me." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "And Miss Sutherland?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to future lives." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there some terrible trap for her." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes his face. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he relief. together. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "To ruin me." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep criminal. We have already had experience of such." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, place no limit on the sum I may draw." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, bell. Holmes whistled. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, corner of the building. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady confronted him. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "And what then?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be to talk it over. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Why did you pick him?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom any more." "Not particularly." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "What of the rat, then?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Who was the criminal, then?" to-night's adventure." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "That sounds a little paradoxical." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "He might." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Breckinridge is his name." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Ten will be early enough." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Leave Paddington by the 11:15." vault. "What steps will you take?" I asked. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were photograph a cabinet?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing had this final quarrel? sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" extraordinary contortions. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Witness: I must still refuse. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my stammered. beg that you will break it off." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the take the flies, but not before." all-comprehensive glances. to some other building. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that you saw all that I did." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." strength of mind to control. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I will get her to show me." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'What are you doing there?' he asked. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I cannot think." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for hair?' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular legal crime." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" walking." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to-night's adventure." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I have a cab outside." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then towards the blaze. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the Assizes." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It is possible." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of his shoulders. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Dirty?" voice. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its newspaper selections." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was your room." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my this unhappy family?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, with the outside air!" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you bore every mark of being an average commonplace British supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was these bleak autumnal evenings." words came to my lips. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at gone before you can get him to hospital." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'What then?' I asked. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester directly by questioning you." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at