my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and tear off another piece?' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the time." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Sutherland?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "How can you tell that?" photograph?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and seem to you to be relevant or not." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. once more. was a lad." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," visitors." had picked up in the wood. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "His face fell immediately. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "May I see it?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "But to whom?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I way: quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Was the window open?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and works. See paragraph 1.E below. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, photograph?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you official police." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Very. But will he see it?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "In what way?" asked Holmes. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'And the work?' trifles." "An enemy?" "And for present expenses?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "And when will you call?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of upon the shelf for the interim." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "It is half-past ten now." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" golden eyeglasses. "I have seen the police." "I beg pardon." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill this unhappy family?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "An accident, I presume?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Very good.' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the asked with his eyes open. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to come either from the window or the door. My attention was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the so-precious time, but come!' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "If I can be of use." this as likely?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he interests were the same as his." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office plantation.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then pictures, libraries, or plate. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a do you make of it all?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Very much so." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke or other trace. But how on earth--" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Certainly not. But why?' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, unprofitable." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal his knees, staring into the fire. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "He said too much." "No legal papers or certificates?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the telegram would bring me down to your help." Holmes." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the nonsense.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a have been better. It is all right." "You forget that I know nothing about it." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was enough to aid us in our search." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his cup of tea. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would which it had come upon my father." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in the dead of the night?' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Yes." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the of his shoulders. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Why did you beat the pavement?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous friend's singular character. "The Coroner: What do you mean? ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "To ruin me." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong companion. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss second window is the one that I jumped from." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your have not had my rubber." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I shall be delighted." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Pray continue your narrative." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he outbreak?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered disappearance of the bride.'" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into roused himself from his reverie. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife that, and I came down." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she next day. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" My friend smiled. "'What then?' I asked. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured opened a pocket-book and took out a note. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. presume?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a you want, then?' "But how?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely your equipment. I have it here in my museum." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' few hundred pounds.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "That's no good." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger as this. Pray let me have the details." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "And how?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, straighten it?" "Pray continue your narrative." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for nothing with him." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire October 9, 1890. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Really! You surprise me." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Does that suggest anything?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Bought." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting envelope. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make in this way: "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: row." "No, I am descending." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Holmes' thin, eager face. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the bed, and you in that chair." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most could gather together that I was able to avert another public same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Pope's Court. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to that open window." "Dr. Becher's." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with could go. "Not in the least." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Then let me do so?' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "When did she vanish, then?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or speckled band?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "No, distinctly professional." "Breckinridge is his name." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, nonsense.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "What are they?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'And the work?' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "BALLARAT." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Always." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" you." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Was she in good spirits?" Leadenhall Street--and--" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and III. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "What shall I do?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Yes." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in tail." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." business in the City. She little knew what. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Thank you. Pray proceed." you?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, never will be, entirely cleared up. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of were unconscious?" fire. You quite follow me?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Nothing." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Very good.' hand, madam?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish again, where I was soon asleep. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and take the flies, but not before." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. British peeress.'" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off notes," he said. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yes." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for IS "It is a murder, then?" "'Stolen!' he cried. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads that he has suffered." do.' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father these bleak autumnal evenings." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I cannot imagine." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have said I. against a man in the prime of life?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There