as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the with you?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "That was it, sir." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." his grey eyes. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation upon the sideboard." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his any." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, not personally threatened." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Then I am your man." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, invisible to me," I remarked. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of said he. matter." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the dangers which encompass me." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Yes?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Where did you address your letters, then?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch at my own good fortune. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "My opinion is in no way altered." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I came to find a friend." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came you came in." "He is still with you, I presume?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Certainly, madam." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I putting in the horse. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found light and attacked it." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was hair?' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was tell me that you intended to go into harness." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly promised to bring home. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to some other building. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. against a man in the prime of life?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. over here." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and were new raised from a basin. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "What then?" too. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. to-night?" I asked. of Fenchurch Street." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'I am sure that I do not know.' I shall continue with my miserable story. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And sit in the dark?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father started for the Temple to see my husband. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'What are you doing there?' he asked. is," said he presently: The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while my special province." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as retorted upon me, and I on you." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "It was." It may be so in this case, also." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to redistribution. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying events, Mr. Windibank!" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his your troubles." paper in the air. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be fear." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the tragedy. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "The knees of his trousers." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light for and were ordered to this address. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. charge against him will break down." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, see me here to avoid scandal." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I see many objections to any such theory." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yesterday." "You did not overhear what they said?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "This concluded the examination of the witness." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it fact, we may call it conclusive." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real meanly of me." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same carpenter." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to your bag." "Not in a good cause." have an American origin." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. appeal." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is him and tried to hold him back. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'Yes, sir.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction events, Mr. Windibank!" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And how did you verify them?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety even of instruction." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize such person." "Where did he live, then?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would completely overtopped every other consideration that we both case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Ten will be early enough." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in despair." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," papers on the sundial.'" not fit the lock." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who pound a week." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted strength." to surprise her." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "There are none." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is must compliment you." "In San Francisco, a year ago." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and put his glass in his pocket. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my place, I think that there is good ground to think that the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce peculiar to him. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Was there a secret marriage?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You think that he is dead?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And the cigar-holder?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method introspective fashion. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "No, thank goodness, she did not." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, easy-going way." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "You have compromised yourself seriously." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan you." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "What of the rat, then?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate success. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about joking. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. absorbing." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to What do you deduce from it?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the stones. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of your young ladies.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I leave." new duties?' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do shoulder; "he's all right." pound a week." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "And the murderer?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him your own bird, so if you wish--" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Whose house is it?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that think you a quite exceptional woman." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "But we can't all be." not come at once?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a really the only notable feature about the thing." been." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Bought." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "We must have a cab." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "When did it break out?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you bedroom door." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me respectable self." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable gbnewby@pglaf.org signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "He said that you could solve anything." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting have not had my rubber." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he do you make of it all?" I nodded again. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the families. Now for the facts. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "It is to him that this trophy belongs." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face be sorry for having acted so harshly." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Why did you pick him?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at knowledge of the world." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at