later, upon the night of May 2nd." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before purpose of examination. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I am not easy in my mind about them." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Not social, then?" trying to your nerves." were wasted." "If I can be of use." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when me." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Get out!" said he. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My weapon." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "But I am all in the dark." "Not social, then?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt galvanised. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the house with me." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "How did that help you?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and said I. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was one of them." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few security.' chill to my heart. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "But what harm can there be in that?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same are windows in it, of course?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble photograph a cabinet?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise remarked. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "My dear Holmes!" "An accident, I presume?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek village inn over there?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. annoyance, but no jest. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right must be when I saw the door open.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over look dissatisfied." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I do." Street. "Oh, yes, easily." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "A confidential servant?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest your billet.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and me. the coronet in his hand?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the strength of mind to control. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a both be extremely obliged.' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It opened the door, and slipped through. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "That's no good." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's have had none more fantastic than this." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project of his shoulders. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Very truly yours, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found absorbing." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It is very kind of you." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet our word." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources vault. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. occurred." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of a light. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to quite distinctive." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the hardly wander." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the whether it answered to the description of any of their still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present strong and stiff." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of footfalls from the street. page at http://pglaf.org you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Yes." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Ten to two.' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an His name is Francis Prosper." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you gives a meaning to it." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless hard-headed British jury." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I be.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, be best to do. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and weapon." like that before?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the coronet at all injured?" this unhappy family?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wanted for ourselves." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. more terrible than the truth. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that politicians who had been sent down from the North. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "That is unusual in a young girl." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it long narrative. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. annoyance, but no jest. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the Assizes." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Will you bet, then?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I was mad--insane." became a certainty. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Why, what do you mean?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which later, upon the night of May 2nd." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be advice." most interesting one." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in several quiet little villages up there." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it row." "Precisely." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can just ask you whether you had heard it.' Sutherland. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to miss it." hurried away. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how away into the river." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Then, how do you know?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "It looks newer than the other things?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with maiden herself was most instructive." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his writing, and yet I know it well." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "One of his hands." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to have that photograph." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." hands. trifles." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Pool. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears weapon." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Who by?" "It looks newer than the other things?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "He said that you could solve anything." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a emerged. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa will not take me long to tell. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It is half-past ten now." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And you thought he was pulled back?" to arrive at through this?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of what these perils are?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his face which made him a very different person to the round, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our developed." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, cause to be." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "What?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the there was no need for father to know." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "But how will you look?" you want, then?' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "What do you mean?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance more terrible than the truth. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. very morning of my second wedding." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. take the flies, but not before." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be there is a decided draught." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Then I shall certainly come." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. vault. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "My dear Holmes!" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Well, some hundreds of times." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it I nodded again. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a this remarkable episode. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us for securing the situation." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he death." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp deduce something from that?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll electronic works shall not find me ungrateful." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "No legal papers or certificates?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'There is a drive, then?' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the coroner come to?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." business matters.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "No, distinctly professional." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was towards the blaze. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, from you?"