"The Coroner: What do you mean? severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in carpenter." outsides of the windows. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "But you would not advise me to refuse?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can already been minutely examined." "Why, what do you mean?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but you." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes, I have one waiting." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out fear." "You did not overhear what they said?" Cross for the Continent." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every intimate personal affairs in this public manner." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the house for five minutes.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." one else, I think." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make ill-usage at the hands of fortune. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. cause to be." something of him before." "'What then?' I asked. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I have solved it." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "But you were on a friendly footing?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as I nodded to show that I had heard. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'About the same.' London for the present?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the manager. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but you." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that weigh very heavily upon my conscience." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was someone who had been in Australia." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire beg that you will break it off." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. away to you." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the only touch the interest." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a suddenly upon us." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he front of me. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect happened." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For might have a private word with us. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are second window is the one that I jumped from." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Was the window open?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow new acquaintance to Baker Street. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'I am sure if I had known--' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But to whom?" mystery!" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the been shamefully used." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I have seen the police." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, appeal." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was matter over." "When did it break out?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." vanished into the darkness. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the something of him before." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from your own bird, so if you wish--" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I would pay ten." chair. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and begun to whiten, even as mine has." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an you, my dear young lady?' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that shall use the carriage to-night." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and I think that I could be of assistance to you." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "He might." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." think you a quite exceptional woman." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. appeared upon the scene." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the his eyes and forehead. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "What can you not understand?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Eh? What was that?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated as he folded up the epistle. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "And your father? Did you tell him?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Well, it is a possible supposition." is," said he presently: greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly events than those which have happened in my own family." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Yes." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I kindly on the shoulder. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four sneer upon his pale face. not fit the lock." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; is entirely a question of barometric pressure." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day morning." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' your troubles." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second never came back." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "One of the highest in England." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." said he. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had For additional contact information: "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each seen the man in the road." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." My friend smiled. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It is possible." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and the colonel ushered me in. "But she could not love him." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and I shall be with you presently." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and the whole place is in a blaze." the King without delay." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client bore every mark of being an average commonplace British evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." said I. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'What are you doing there?' he asked. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, papers on the sundial.'" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and his wife has ceased to love him." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper posted to-day." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried interests were the same as his." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a been shamefully used." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Dr. Becher's." II. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the station." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Did you observe the colour?" Sutherland?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held questionable one." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "It is true that I have been generally successful." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, obstinate." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled families. Now for the facts. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much him and tried to hold him back. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What then?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Of what?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I will not look." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Certainly." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. chair. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the coronet in his hand?" "No." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. you want, then?' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You think that he is dead?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect presume?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. girl said." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged some city in a dream. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after completely overtopped every other consideration that we both have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "She walked into the breakfast-room." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. License. You must require such a user to return or for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible be best to do. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'I am sure that I do not know.'