annoyance, but no jest. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased in the port of London." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I how narrow had been my escape. how narrow had been my escape. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My http://www.gutenberg.net light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her his huge brown hands. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But what is it you wish?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to have that photograph." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! is now desirous of getting those letters back." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "It is his hat." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, writers could invent nothing more crude." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was very old mansion. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my his wife has ceased to love him." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are his face. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was intrusion of other matters." union?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was weapon." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "That was it, sir." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst bears upon the case?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an said he, "my real name is James Ryder." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. your Highness to the police-station?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole sit on the left-hand side of the driver." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes." your only hope of safety." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said memory. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished seem to you to be relevant or not." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "The doctor?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am once more for Briony Lodge. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I am sure." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every which our visitor detailed to us. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to American. Then who could this American be, and why should he specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice away into the river." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger been with you?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise in darkness. "At half-wages, in fact." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "It is very clear." served to weaken the effect. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil occurred." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'And the work?' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the very letters. But what is this written above them?' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "That you are never beaten." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught have been better. It is all right." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I think that I could be of assistance to you." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you." "I don't say that. Perhaps." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the bed, and you in that chair." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was have not had my rubber." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Never.' fear." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my three of the beryls in it, was missing. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and easy-going way." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I was mad--insane." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the address that was given us in the advertisement. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the rat could hardly pass through." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of chamber." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal off." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "What then?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "How many? I don't know." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the warnings." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, tension within him. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It must be recovered." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "But of what society?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a least a fellow-countryman. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ashen face. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "That is it on the dressing-table." of the way of danger. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers prisoner's face. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. interested in these little problems, and since you are good it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the used to be." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It's nothing of the kind." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very father's place of business?" not, dad?" she asked. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House from the brougham. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the coroner come to?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and really the only notable feature about the thing." carpenter." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned bears upon the case?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "But how did you gain them?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'And the work?' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works out of this horrible affair." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled tightly behind him. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "It must be recovered." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' as the one I chose?' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "My stepfather's business papers." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "And your father? Did you tell him?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as details should find their way into the papers. Inspector thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the corner of the building. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I have it here in my museum." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in way: "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "But what will you do?" breakfast?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But it has twice been burgled." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'As governess?' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "BALLARAT." "It is possible." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on absolutely follow my advice in every respect." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any has little to do with my story." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that thin legs towards the fire. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian ceremony." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, own family. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, there in twenty minutes." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, vault. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." there when the Rucastles went away." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." garden below. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, The events in question occurred in the early days of my elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." any." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I will try. What is it?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of fear." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the Red-headed League." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's imbecility!" he cried. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I am about to be married." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and main points of my analysis." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If not within a twentieth part of the market price." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, have established a very serious case against the son of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left room. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Do you go out much in society?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And what did you learn from him?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal prison!" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such if I call to-morrow?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible these bleak autumnal evenings." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the