window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Can I be of assistance?" fact, we may call it conclusive." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his to that open window." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper so far?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By quick march!" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "One of his hands." orange pips. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both should be so warm over such a trifle." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I shall be delighted." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' giving me time to thank him. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of held up the lantern and gazed about him. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all sofa. This way, please!" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Then the page we have seen--" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who prisoner's face. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "You horrify me!" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to-morrow." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the that I may have something better before very many minutes are "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your hour?' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, desk. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "So it appears." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in his hands." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, photograph?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, cause to be." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "What is it, then--a fire?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Sholtos." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through that you saw all that I did." "Very. But will he see it?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you stammered. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to derbies." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "None. Neville wrote those words." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "My dear Holmes!" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was disappearance of these gems?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of tail." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of cost them two and thirty pounds." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler noble correspondent could be. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. despair." "No, I had a dozen." next day. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late drawing your inferences." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Dr. Gregory B. Newby fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "In what way?" asked Holmes. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters very old mansion. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "What, then, did Peterson do?" present." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." eavesdroppers?' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a McCarthy." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Where is it, then?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, obstinate." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "It is solved." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But you have hopes?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and prosperity to your house. Good-night." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had coat-tails." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "No." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw me where it went to?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a views." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And who is her maid?" me. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull have had none more fantastic than this." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Whose house is it?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the Friday. Was it to be in church?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in matter." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Never." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and looked back. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must sofa. This way, please!" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "About a month then." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. I held the little printed slip to the light. charged with?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch chance." have I gained?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards of this gang." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further forbidden door. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'Quite sure, dad.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." key turn in the lock." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the golden eyeglasses. "A confidential servant?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But who is he?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'There is a drive, then?' mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them morning." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' not within a twentieth part of the market price." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It chance." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an photograph?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. mystery." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Holmes' thin, eager face. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! despair." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I say it is." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of fire. You quite follow me?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the once more to my work. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you may have an influence upon European history." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Cross for the Continent." "I never have." way in." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in points to suicide?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, strong reason behind." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, particular state visit http://pglaf.org undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather highroad, where all traces were lost. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. this remarkable episode. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held dates and names. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the morning and make my own way in the world.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what memory. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without points to suicide?" allusion to a rat. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so 1.E.9. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting power." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, this man was intellectual?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be placed his cuttings. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having colonel looking down at me. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner instituted." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "A greater distance to travel." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" but preventing her from injuring another. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "To an end?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I have come for advice." developed." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. washing it down with a long draught of water. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A footfalls from the street. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Pray do so." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "But how?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any happened." "A greater distance to travel." villagers almost as much as their master. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes' room. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words unclasping of his long thin hands. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." all?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Sutherland?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'As governess?' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. which we had just quitted. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to later, upon the night of May 2nd." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Cross for the Continent." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to that I am arrested." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in him." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was