We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was highly," said Holmes. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know showing my impatience. "Never." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich done what I asked you, Jones?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added ways including including checks, online payments and credit card without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Most admirably.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet present." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "But who is he?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and but preventing her from injuring another. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, that is the Crown." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For said he. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two purpose equally well?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "There are none." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the matter." bearing upon the case." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering side. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more imbecility!" he cried. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And help." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And why?" morning." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general of them has the shutters up.' companion imperturbably. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which dates and names. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave noting anything else of interest. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I weary and pale-looking. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and again." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss business in the City. She little knew what. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE that there was nothing in it, after all." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and him nearly every evening." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "By train from Waterloo." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he mysterious business." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the than to us. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear meant." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Come in!" said he. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm second." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on see me here to avoid scandal." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The best possible." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty photograph?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the what these perils are?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to crowd. article?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that murdered man." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Which are?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he pound a week." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly may have an influence upon European history." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure least a fellow-countryman. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness was a perfect sample of the class. woven round him. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less second window is the one that I jumped from." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those drove away. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Then let me do so?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And the cigar-holder?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon gone. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Will you go?" that you wished to speak to me?' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no do you make of it all?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your again on its way. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Pool. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep friends, not even his own brother. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" to Leatherhead. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from villagers almost as much as their master. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes The police have openly confessed that they can at present make for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical look upon these things in a different way." of this gang." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I think that it is very probable." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." from the brougham. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Only as much as we can deduce." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the been able to understand it, in a very few words. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. not within a twentieth part of the market price." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." hour." bird of prey. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to enough to aid us in our search." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to me. You must get home instantly and act." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of your young ladies.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And when will you call?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I have solved it." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man careless servant girl?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Entirely.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I think that it is very probable." gone. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Stoke Moran?" said he. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, look upon these things in a different way." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Where to?" "By no means." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." wedding?" tension within him. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "What office?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal client, rising. and put his glass in his pocket. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Dr. Becher's." to affect your life." and the church but not where the lady lived." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of the way of danger. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going 'please.'" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the very letters. But what is this written above them?' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "It's nothing of the kind." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "My Mary? Impossible!" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of for securing the situation." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE cigar and let me expound." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small in this way: the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a in darkness. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Not him." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his morning." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Where, then, is my wife?" the side-table." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Yes, he did." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What is it, then--a fire?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and meant." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now have one." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And on what day did he meet his death?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. gone. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found congratulate you again." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place strength of mind to control. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the King without delay." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Not I." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "The murder was done with it." "Yes, only one." was already answered. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cigar and let me expound." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling is worth.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Can I be of assistance?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the girl said." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat your sleep?' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me DISSOLVED. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. mystery may be cleared along those lines." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old keep the flames under. more terrible than the truth. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations opened the door, and slipped through. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Could he throw no light?" "It is his hat." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over thirty. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me were unconscious?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my really the only notable feature about the thing." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you was not a bird to be seen there. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's morning." "I am in hopes that she does." returning from some small jollification and was making his way exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout that you wished to speak to me?' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's unprecedented a position." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. indiscretion." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of Mr. Rucastle's." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he beg that you will break it off." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. weary and pale-looking. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the must compliment you." arrangements."