away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "None." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Pray let us have it, for all that." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his cane at the bell-pull. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said will be renamed. what I may call a really hard day's work." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to been shamefully used." are windows in it, of course?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Yes, he did." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. putting in the horse. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the bed, and you in that chair." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set everything which you would wish to know." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong straightened it out again. passage and a tap at the door. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going question. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Literary Archive Foundation the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but get her out of the way." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the Assizes." your Highness to the police-station?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: which was all perfectly true. excitement. "I cannot as yet see any connection." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "And for present expenses?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well someone who had been in Australia." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "The King of Scandinavia." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of existence." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise hurried by. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you keep the flames under. husband's writing, madam." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and a shock of very red hair. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "And how in the world did you find them?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found considering the formidable letters which were received by himself floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and again on its way. and looked back. nice household for a young lady." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Your French gold?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a approach us with offers to donate. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Not yet." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And have been better. It is all right." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "He might." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the matter." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal front of me. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you for a few hours?" minor matters until to-morrow." annoyance, but no jest. cup of tea. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was ways of our fellow-men." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I beg pardon." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Yes, it was gone.' a good hundred miles off by now." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "In what way?" asked Holmes. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you confronted him. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass locked." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." house for five minutes.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the our word." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" was keenly on my guard against him. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in matter over." "He slept on the premises." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to some other building. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Where to?' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, carried out of court." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner character. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal should be taken.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "An enemy?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'And what salary do you ask?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Where could I find him?' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us suggested at once that there must be a communication between the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Serpentine Avenue. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire vanished into the darkness. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." his grey eyes. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "You horrify me." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to such person." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Ten to two.' dead, shall be safe with us." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "How are you getting on?" returned to France?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the out of this horrible affair." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day about. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "From his hat?" arrangements." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Holmes, the busybody!" said he. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as your only hope of safety." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the King without delay." http://www.gutenberg.net "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate which was all perfectly true. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of spark where all is dark to me." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such province." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to used to be." his wife has ceased to love him." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had any more." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Not social, then?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the to a light-house. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'As governess?' "What can you not understand?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six of fine shops and stately business premises that they really They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs key of the affair now." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while made his money." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which deduce something from that?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of do." tied." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing case before our client came into the room." if only as a check to my own memory." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" weary and pale-looking. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "What do you mean?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net from you?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "No." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. remarked. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Nothing." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was instituted." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "But you have hopes?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that forecastle of an emigrant ship. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was it." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was correct than the official force." a room. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I cannot as yet see any connection." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with more terrible than the truth. the devil!" "Yes, but only for you and me." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day could not have written that. It is the German who is so when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a side. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch was already answered. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by not fit the lock." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Nearly eleven." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Was the window open?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition.