the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly ill-usage at the hands of fortune. up this clue while it is still hot." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge fluttered off among the others. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'I am sure that I do not know.' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Where, indeed?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have breakfast?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Certainly." "What! a murderous attack?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the stones. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I The events in question occurred in the early days of my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment felt the room to be a little close.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Where, then?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The Coroner: What do you mean? down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than been anything against him. He had for years been known as a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his fire. You quite follow me?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Very much so." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the side-table." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which had picked up in the wood. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Oh, fresh and glossy." trying to your nerves." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building held up the lantern and gazed about him. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "No, I had a dozen." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She get her out of the way." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. which we had just quitted. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It is half-past ten now." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a redistribution. business at Coburg Square is serious." "Never." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is one else, I think." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to is four-and-twenty." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire I shall continue with my miserable story. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been DISSOLVED. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy be sorry for having acted so harshly." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark throat." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "By train from Waterloo." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only people don't know." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "What?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. said he at last. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I cannot tell." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the little opening for the ventilator is." "You saw the ventilator, too?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Pray do so." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "It was an hour's good drive." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Of what?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk without a word or a look. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and note?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step interests were the same as his." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'And the work?' "He is still with you, I presume?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "He is still with you, I presume?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was believe that I should never have any practice at all. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we you." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hard-headed British jury." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, own family. "That's no good." tension within him. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR posted to-day." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "You have compromised yourself seriously." purpose equally well?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had tied." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this happened." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our ways including including checks, online payments and credit card were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most attention." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Perhaps I have." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one in the dead of the night?' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Get out!" said he. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I towards the blaze. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in his power. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and wait." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Always." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "But you were on a friendly footing?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the fuss that is made over them." such attractions and accomplishments?' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had carpenter." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a three of the beryls in it, was missing. unkempt, staring out at me. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the upon a handsome competence. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his an introduction to him?" "What do you mean?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious father's young wife. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the go from here to the Strand." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "BALLARAT." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a became a certainty. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, sofa. This way, please!" and wait." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he stood on the top of it. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and nothing with him." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Leadenhall Street--and--" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wall." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes, at the mines." detained." mystery may be cleared along those lines." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The murder was done with it." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "But I am all in the dark." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "No. What a strange idea!" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Then let me do so?' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Where, then, is my wife?" bonnet, and went out." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Was there a secret marriage?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "No, I am descending." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during there when the Rucastles went away." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Edgeware Road. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the maiden herself was most instructive." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to you." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off that I can to serve you." "And what did you learn from him?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" his huge brown hands. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the room while you explain this matter?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are for the market.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "It is possible." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My despair." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Where is it, then?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this meanly of me." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Precisely so. But how--" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of upon the white wrist. were new raised from a basin. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to tackle the facts." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what heavily into it. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to your room." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the way in."