not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "No." "Ha! you find it so?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my seem to you to be relevant or not." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself union?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Eyford." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, your co-operation." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Yes, he did." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Really! You surprise me." better grown goose." them?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these problems help me to do so." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is envelope. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you conclusions. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Has he come with you to-night?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "No good news?" your own bird, so if you wish--" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and that Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little you understand?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this that I am arrested." people don't know." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Here?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "And Miss Sutherland?" His smile broadened. "And why in hopes?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Well." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have in darkness. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and wait." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted strength of mind to control. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the sound at heart." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade populous neighbourhood." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the face and glided from the room. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in the hope of finding them." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but man. I know him from the photograph." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Then, as to money?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." drove away. "And the murderer?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. one else, I think." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Lestrade of Scotland Yard." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in green of the new foliage. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of here and I will read it to you: "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the out." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled remarked. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" invisible to me," I remarked. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature straightened it out again. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself know what is wrong with it.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It weigh very heavily upon my conscience." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the coronet at all injured?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into States. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "You have a clue?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Could he throw no light?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Deserted you?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Yes." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small redistribution. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "VIOLET HUNTER." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "So I am. Very much so." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Certainly, madam." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But his left-handedness." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at my secret was safe in his possession. he bowed and left the room without another word. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found heavy and sharp instrument." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Why that?' I asks. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young know what is wrong with it.' "The vanishing of the lady." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just think that he is innocent?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "What is it, then--a fire?" fattened it expressly for you.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in so.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps crime. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and strength in the others." works. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." papers must be those that are destroyed.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There round with crates and massive boxes. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of furiously. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You think so, too?" "Really! You surprise me." absorbing." Holmes. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "There is the writing." did not hear it also.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Holmes' room. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "No, I had a dozen." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low confronted him. too. "Not I." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "How often?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and imbecility!" he cried. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. morning." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his written. I leave." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "By no means." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at paper in the air. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be thin, with a long, sharp nose?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears business at Coburg Square is serious." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his conceal it?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for arms and began to sob in a high treble key. read it out to me." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Perhaps I have." figure." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and inquire as to the address." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I cannot tell." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' records." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed easy-going way." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good good for you to do.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks note?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of already been minutely examined." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Yes, he did." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I guessed as much." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Very murderous indeed." "Of what?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real had picked up in the wood. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Stoke Moran." Doctor, of the paper and the date." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, closely." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since stepfather?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So father's young wife. it. to tell." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way of note-paper. It read in this fashion: detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shoulder. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to astonishment. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Why serious?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I say that I have solved it." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I have my revolver," said I. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as assist you in forming an opinion." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as sit on the left-hand side of the driver." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Lestrade of Scotland Yard." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very shaken than I had ever seen him. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began interested in these little problems, and since you are good be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "How are you getting on?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the public press." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "What! Had he lost his wife?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. wife's character?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and photograph a cabinet?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I should wish to." manager. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the morning and make my own way in the world.' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I will get her to show me." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and as the one I chose?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. to arrive at through this?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "There are none." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the one as in the other." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a have been better. It is all right." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And how did he make his money?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. handed it to him. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises beg that you will break it off." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Certainly." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." lost nothing by them." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body