about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, not personally threatened." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "But who is he?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. passage and a tap at the door. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." own family. unprofitable." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his some water from a caraffe. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know think that he is innocent?" "I think that it is very probable." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "That is possible." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering II. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Do you go out much in society?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent pierced for earrings?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' would then never go into court at all." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual green of the new foliage. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. situation." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was have I gained?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "No, I think that I'll take it." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'How far from the body?' "No." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend strength of mind to control. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of your young ladies.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. you." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." with frightened eyes at his accuser. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" little trying to do so much typewriting?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than some water from a caraffe. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I answered with a sidelong glance. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without invisible to me," I remarked. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Well, but China?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Of what day?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "What of the rat, then?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I am all attention, madam." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I cannot tell." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country page at http://pglaf.org Eyford." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. one of them." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible him." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical married her." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office door?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Certainly." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally people don't know." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman bare slabs of marble. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but with some details as to your case." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now pictures, libraries, or plate. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, tapping his fingers upon the table. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double before the coroner and the police-court." upon the white wrist. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "She will not sell." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. me what he had done with the three missing stones. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" pierced for earrings?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the instituted." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What will you do, then?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "About a month then." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Well?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your until night should bring an explanation. where she found matters as described by the last witness. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have help us in this matter." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down returned to France?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, 'please.'" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they tassel actually lying upon the pillow. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." 11:15.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" even so self-evident a thing as that." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would peculiar to him. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles comes from the middle window." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread both be extremely obliged.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I cannot as yet see any connection." appeared upon the scene." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name opened the door, and slipped through. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a weary and pale-looking. "I cannot as yet see any connection." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged other means.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said fat-encircled eyes. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin coat-tails." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I salesman. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this sit on the left-hand side of the driver." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar unprofitable." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I cannot think." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend knowledge of the world." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the retorted upon me, and I on you." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a burst out into a roar of laughter. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his business came to an end." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon eat it." could gather together that I was able to avert another public Sutherland. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend companion. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done distinguish the words: man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. forecastle of an emigrant ship. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we article?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and a shock of very red hair. here." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "What?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small carpenter." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "My dear Holmes!" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel happened." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I cannot tell." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, hardly wander." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. death." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And now?" I asked. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Henry Baker is a member." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my fire. You quite follow me?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to tackle the facts." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was feeling which was the fattest.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Then what has happened to him?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "How often?" hurried by. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large too. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Heh?' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a head. So long, then!" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "And now?" I asked. him and tried to hold him back. "What shall I do?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of one else, I think." she used." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The discontent upon his features. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "One?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, this remarkable episode. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the very morning of the wedding." the warnings." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and no precautions can guard against." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were all that?" train.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do him. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "How do you know, then?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Holmes, the busybody!" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." nonsense.' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Stolen." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes, but only for you and me." "A confidential servant?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at could gather together that I was able to avert another public livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'About the same.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Well." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "None." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from that I am arrested." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been strong reason behind." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." companion quietly. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Yes." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in where we are going." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I have come for advice." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the King without delay." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I was afraid that you were engaged." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no was lame." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one events than those which have happened in my own family." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that into her hand at the door and which lured her within their enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I was certainly surprised to find you there." prepare for the new role I have to play." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the colonel looking down at me.