combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of digesting their breakfasts at home." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an what these perils are?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and side. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. such attractions and accomplishments?' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "None. Neville wrote those words." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "To the police?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. he bowed and left the room without another word. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from prisoner's face. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "But how?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at at home. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary returned to France?" "I have solved it." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before said I. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'I am sure if I had known--' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend question you as to those details which seem to me to be most doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "And leave your case unfinished?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Was your sister dressed?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your points in connection with it which never have been, and probably been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get so.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere jewels which you have stolen?' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "But what is it you wish?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Never to return." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and him, that man would not have given me such complete information send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you cigars in their mouths. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from awaited us upon the table. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I this as likely?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, passage and a tap at the door. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'I have heard so.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As as noiselessly as she had come. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "And now?" I asked. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "But his left-handedness." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I leave." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "And what did you see?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through happened." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. off." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "And the murderer?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose directors, with the result that you have seen." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" your co-operation." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I goes." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand chance." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Where is it, then?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "That you are never beaten." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the be. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'How far from the body?' client, rising. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." recover the gem." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'I have heard so.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my assist you in forming an opinion." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Did you observe the colour?" "It is possible." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw extraordinary contortions. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "VIOLET HUNTER." have got?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Nothing." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who points to suicide?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the Assizes." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "His face fell immediately. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off himself. have accepted such a situation. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called swore that no one else had been in the front room during the a suggestive one." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of that he will be back before evening." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall late!' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. assist you in forming an opinion." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly death." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the ceiling. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I think that I could be of assistance to you." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when know what is wrong with it.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he companion imperturbably. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and directors, with the result that you have seen." quickly through a disagreeable task. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Pray do so." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "And Miss Sutherland?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across vague figure huddled up in the darkness. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was McCarthy's innocence. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an there has been an enclosure here!" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the room while you explain this matter?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." the salesman. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each that he will be back before evening." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest II. "But what is it you wish?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told strong reason behind." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do very peculiar words of the dying woman?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and a shock of very red hair. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "That is not always so easy." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of see a sister of mine apply for." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he him." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "But your client--" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever amused." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "But she will refuse." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Foundation devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from compunction about shooting them down." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off colour had been driven from his face. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses developed." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Mrs. Toller serenely. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was had a long day." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? ran thus: breakfast?" remarked. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "No?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "How about poison?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; to arrive at through this?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of you." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." tied." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two What do you deduce from it?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that second." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted husband's writing, madam." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me him to be an active member of the medical profession." in his power. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport papers on the sundial.'" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Just look it up, then." "Certainly." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the coronet in his hands?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, address. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would brandy and water within his reach. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, again, where I was soon asleep. papers." "I am armed." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. States. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Then I am your man." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'And the work?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, which was all perfectly true. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, about here speaks of his kindness to him." six. Come in!" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Indeed! Whose, then?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the evidence," I remarked. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Then you may be so with me." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Sholtos." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes, sir."