be. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I charge against him will break down." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the me where it went to?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, heavy and sharp instrument." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. cigars in the box." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and meant." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'Why that?' I asks. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence I was concerned in it." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something lectures into a series of tales." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master noble correspondent could be. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" pierced for earrings?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Seven!" I answered. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I leave." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I nothing with him." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And how did you find out?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom be there in time for your coming." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive name is different." matter." giving me time to thank him. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that before taking the final step I should like to submit the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and disappearance of the bride.'" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and a shock of very red hair. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "An accident, I presume?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "No, thank goodness, she did not." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "And how did he make his money?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the very morning of the wedding." "Murdered?" Holmes." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And how did he make his money?" enter into my head. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies nights." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, conclusions. and a shock of very red hair. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he companion imperturbably. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime which was all perfectly true. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. lectures into a series of tales." "That is it on the dressing-table." status with the IRS. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off you give your casting vote to?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to your own bird, so if you wish--" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of written, and locked the door of the office after me. returning from some small jollification and was making his way is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away arms and began to sob in a high treble key. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And how did he make his money?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a round with crates and massive boxes. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to fait accompli?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Edgeware Road. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story one which it was hard to resist. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But his face. good for you to do.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It is no ordinary one." death." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at my own good fortune. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "The Cedars?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Pope's Court. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "My private note-paper." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "What have you to say now?" "No." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Then you may be so with me." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." me have 200 pounds?' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Holmes' face clouded over. your co-operation." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is into the bag, and made for the door. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the seven miles from Eyford Station.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, photograph?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project said I. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face believe that I should never have any practice at all. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the him and tried to hold him back. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." as this. Pray let me have the details." Serpentine Avenue. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Yes, sir." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very maid will bring up your coffee." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "You think that he is dead?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the coroner come to?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to said he. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'And what salary do you ask?' "By no means." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, charged with?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the station." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of them?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging would then never go into court at all." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Then I can wait in the next room." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. sake, don't!" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low him to be an active member of the medical profession." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the murdered man." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Eyford." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists returned to France?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I do." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "No, I had a dozen." cigars in their mouths. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Texas, I think." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Not social, then?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, even of instruction." affair. "But of what society?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after your equipment. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for was a lad." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent sufficient punishment." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid fashion which was peculiar to him. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make imbecility!" he cried. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. is four-and-twenty." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we four million human beings all jostling each other within the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that you." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "One?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar fish-monger and a tide-waiter." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the you." "And leave your case unfinished?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already that he has suffered." room had already been engaged for us. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten despaired of." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, works. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a province." "Ha! you find it so?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may system of imprisonment?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and shall probably return to London by the evening train." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and the church but not where the lady lived." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at prison!" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a strength." "We must have a cab." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I am all attention, madam." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have before, for it was considerably after midnight. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this never came back." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "By no means." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You horrify me!" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are always that they were such commands as a lady might with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. had a long day." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can weighed down with some great anxiety. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless