light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be to Leatherhead. father's place of business?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I promise," said Holmes. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly conceal it?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads if I call to-morrow?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the good for you to do.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my spark where all is dark to me." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is upon the shelf for the interim." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried were new raised from a basin. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from death." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were vanished into the darkness. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was secret." this man was intellectual?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Then how many are there?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was you in yours." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "If I can be of use." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Miss Holder?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "No." you for a few hours?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "So I have heard." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "So I am. Very much so." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your even so self-evident a thing as that." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Bought." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which for its centre. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the stable lane now." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "What will you do, then?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an into the room. would then never go into court at all." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, problems help me to do so." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you as noiselessly as she had come. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "The best possible." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, appeared upon the scene." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Ten to two.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you have had none more fantastic than this." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Certainly." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every is so. I know all about McCarthy." "That you are never beaten." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made sooner or later she must fall a victim. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the dangers which encompass me." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Did your wife hear all this?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'I am sure that I do not know.' License. You must require such a user to return or was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I remarked. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Then what has happened to him?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the stable lane now." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his disturbance in my wife." "Precisely so. But how--" feature." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." happened." possible that we could bring him back to her? "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the warnings." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "We must have a cab." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "My opinion is in no way altered." my former friend and companion. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." only touch the interest." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and less than 26s. 4d. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in already been minutely examined." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. What do you deduce from it?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Why did you beat the pavement?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "May I see it?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and it. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second works. man. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I am not easy in my mind about them." photograph?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "And why in hopes?" like that before?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." joking. off." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" for the market.' forebodings. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Eyford." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a it. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I do." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I horse could go." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this matter." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Her father is very rich?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the very morning of the wedding." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Oh, yes, easily." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. if I call to-morrow?" my friend's incisive reasoning. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang helping a boy to put up the shutters. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the past. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It was an hour's good drive." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "But he might be a bachelor." "You are all wrong." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Murdered?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached instincts rose up against that laugh. "Really! You surprise me." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to could go. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had should be taken.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear with her." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled in this note: and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The with you?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "My last client of the sort was a king." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Who was the criminal, then?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and that he would see to anything that turned up. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of is four-and-twenty." green of the new foliage. so far?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get second window is the one that I jumped from." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to coroner's jury." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. himself. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe next day. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and wedding?" client, rising. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Holmes rather sternly. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know questionable one." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Perhaps I have." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of a light. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Yes." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "It is true that I have been generally successful." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he there were one or two details which were new to me. But the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both weapon." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your way: "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, 11:15.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. second." "You are hungry," I remarked. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Then the page we have seen--" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "No, finished." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the general public were present, then?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the His name is Francis Prosper." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a of a light. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the suddenly upon us." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite less than 26s. 4d. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Thank you. Pray proceed." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he becomes even more simple." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. said I. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Of what?" hour?' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing ordinary clothes on?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Will you go?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Absolutely none." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Eh? What was that?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Yes, only one." "Just look it up, then." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was desk. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of Fenchurch Street." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and it." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I a very grave face. "What office?" suspect him." "No sign of it?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable