sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress new duties?' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime overpowering excitement and concern. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And why?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "BALLARAT." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Holmes. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in matter." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by tell them apart.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey ashen face. "Which are?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his mystery." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Dirty?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her face and glided from the room. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You forget that I know nothing about it." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who introspective fashion. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "You think that he is dead?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'I shall certainly be there.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the retorted upon me, and I on you." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "The doctor?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his chemical work which was so dear to him. waste of energy." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "A call for help, you thought?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture useful material for showing traces. The double line a little however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this photograph?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I would pay ten." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I don't believe it." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second breakfast and whispered something to her husband. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. residence of the great financier. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used followed. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "And your mother is alive?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "To the police?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Not social, then?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson arms and began to sob in a high treble key. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fashion which was peculiar to him. come either from the window or the door. My attention was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, http://gutenberg.net/license). drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Then you may entirely rely on me." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. off." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned will not take me long to tell. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost drove away. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight all-comprehensive glances. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The The telegram which we eventually received came late one night of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Have you good authority for what you say?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of campaign. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "But I am all in the dark." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "The decline of his fortunes, then?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of them has the shutters up.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several his forehead." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Yes, it would be as well." all that?" paper in the air. touch that coronet?' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, when your master had gone out." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of Mr. Rucastle's." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Count Von Kramm." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." away into the river." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Was the window open?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "By no means." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Very much so." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I beg pardon." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of do you make of it all?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from straighten it?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the without a word or a look. knowledge of the world." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Serpentine Avenue. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing His smile broadened. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first coat-tails." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used particular state visit http://pglaf.org me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a him to be an active member of the medical profession." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some amused." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, manager. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." newspaper selections." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of the way of danger. "Witness: Nothing definite. carried out of court." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I was afraid that you were engaged." remarked. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Then he might have called to you?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." highroad, where all traces were lost. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to so far?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it wall." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that I am arrested." you for a few hours?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Count Von Kramm." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her outside. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Game for a morning drive?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause use an arc-and-compass breastpin." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a matter." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature drove away. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You have carte blanche." bird I ate is country bred." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Come in!" said he. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." this Miss Turner." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I assure you that I am in your hands." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had You can understand that this register and diary may implicate collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind my special province." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I you found me to-night--and running through the front room she threw himself down with his face to the pillow. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two sufficient punishment." the coronet in his hands?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to his chemical studies. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking perplexity from it to my illustrious client. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the you give your casting vote to?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "The doctor?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I never have." the date of his supposed suicide." followed. lumber-room." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten himself in a perplexing position. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "To an end?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as trifles." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "That is it on the dressing-table." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a status with the IRS. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Nothing." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last been lifted and conveyed somewhere." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Clair, of Lee." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Well, but China?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and developed." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very touch that coronet?' said he. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Yes, they were peculiar boots." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in it. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with the outside air!" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in point in the dark hollow of his hand. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "And why?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Holmes, the busybody!" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very article?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Mrs. Toller serenely. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "How do you know, then?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "What of the rat, then?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to name is different." "You have carte blanche." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Come in!" said he. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She him, that man would not have given me such complete information remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "And what did you learn from him?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room did not hear it also.' platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men;