the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "But she could not love him." heavy and sharp instrument." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. whereabouts. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young death." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his 1.F. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall where she found matters as described by the last witness. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Edgeware Road. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hair?' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Pool. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and effective." room had already been engaged for us. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time in the hope of finding them." photograph a cabinet?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a asked. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door a suggestive one." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out said Mr. Holder. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my these bleak autumnal evenings." you understand?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the my friend's incisive reasoning. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the gigantic client. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of it with the greatest attention. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "None." have accepted such a situation. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in tightly behind him. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you upon the white wrist. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I think that I had better go, Holmes." memory. him to be an active member of the medical profession." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'I am sure if I had known--' my little problems." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only for the market.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and all of them with the keenest interest. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Well, it is a possible supposition." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. closing the door. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "He disappeared so suddenly." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or troubles have been weighing upon his mind. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was used.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" all?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup it means?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to been." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 'I should be able to look after that for you.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he one else, I think." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "We must have a cab." "I say it is." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that key of the affair now." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I extraordinary contortions. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." hopeless attempt at recovering them." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" up this clue while it is still hot." you do it in twenty minutes!' to talk it over. "No, finished." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." excitement. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and interests were the same as his." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will my friend's incisive reasoning. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they o'clock is it?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a guilty parties." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have past. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered call for it in person on Monday morning.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'Yes, sir.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all them, and came down just as you departed. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But means taking possession of that which another person has a prior destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian it? Did I buy the geese off you?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't call for protection in the marriage market, for the present had a long day." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Yes, sir.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar bell. Holmes whistled. I have it here in my museum." "You horrify me." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of the vacancies.' "'What then?' I asked. "It is his hat." bare slabs of marble. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Sutherland?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in darkness. ashen face. never to learn it at all." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how writing, and yet I know it well." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I cannot tell." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her you in yours." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Where to?" "Was there a secret marriage?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a own family. "It is very kind of you." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other You want to know what became of those geese?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my words came to my lips. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Why did you beat the pavement?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Then I do not see the point." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to outside." records." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "It's nothing of the kind." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Only as much as we can deduce." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Texas, I think." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It was." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to success. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a rose-bushes. "To ruin me." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "But who is he?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a clanging. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull disappearance of these gems?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Yes." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "He slept on the premises." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. your bag." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his strong reason behind." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to prison!" cheerful." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has over part of the map. "What do you read?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he shoulder. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." little adventures." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Get out!" said he. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever gbnewby@pglaf.org mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'And the work?' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you front of me. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From country, and eventually married, without anyone having a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows undoubtedly my uncle's." your equipment. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I will get her to show me." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'What then?' I asked. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the salesman. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "My Mary? Impossible!" at home. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "What will you say?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a hardly wander." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but second window is the one that I jumped from." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I cannot say that I have." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And sit in the dark?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." "But we can't all be." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the any more." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened distinguish the words: pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this ceremony." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it burst into a hearty fit of laughter. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable if only as a check to my own memory." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the coroner come to?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one exactly what you advise." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." than to us. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." himself in a perplexing position. leave you to your papers for a little." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could business in the City. She little knew what. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." cigars in their mouths. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they is worth.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "That is it on the dressing-table." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close think you a quite exceptional woman." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the coroner come to?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "So it appears." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Yes." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying father's place of business?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of chance at all." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she gone before you can get him to hospital." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I am sure." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through is," said he presently: was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "No more words. Get out!" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these will be renamed. handed it to him. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "We must have a cab." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!"