man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "That is unusual in a young girl." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back but preventing her from injuring another. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "When did it break out?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the again on its way. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, been able to understand it, in a very few words. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. imbecility!" he cried. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents someone who had been in Australia." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The maiden herself was most instructive." "And how did he make his money?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I answered that I had not. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than could go. way in." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Yes." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in it." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Project Gutenberg-tm works. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been power." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I people don't know." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in mystery may be cleared along those lines." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady which our visitor detailed to us. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was newspaper selections." throat." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Literary Archive Foundation St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be than was visible to me." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your in his power. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the maid will bring up your coffee." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you promised to bring home. tightly behind him. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire despaired of." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Yes." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this dramatic, in fact." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Have you her photograph?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how His name is Francis Prosper." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your will take you up to see the machine.' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a washing it down with a long draught of water. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Which are?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." know all about it," he snarled. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could third from London." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. photograph a cabinet?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to companion imperturbably. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I approached. has little to do with my story." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to change my dress. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in this note: "I fear not." "Always." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "How do you know, then?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No vague figure huddled up in the darkness. she to prove their authenticity?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating and no precautions can guard against." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On strode off upon his way. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Yes. He waved his hands." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Only as much as we can deduce." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest characteristics, but those are the more obvious." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "What is it?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the during which he might have communicated with his friend the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough might have a private word with us. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out that he will be back before evening." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Project Gutenberg-tm works. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but is four-and-twenty." in my life." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "What?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to directly by questioning you." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for photograph?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as nice household for a young lady." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up society." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master enough to aid us in our search." "The gentleman I describe." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, when you have done it." instincts rose up against that laugh. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." affection." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my room." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I should be immensely obliged to you." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "ARAT," I read. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Look there!" said he. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to humiliation." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over business in the City. She little knew what. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and undoubtedly my uncle's." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall what do you think they found in the pockets?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I shall most certainly do so." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "But I am all in the dark." "Yes, it was twisted." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Why serious?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out not personally threatened." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman promised to bring home. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "To the police?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then where she found matters as described by the last witness. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Certainly." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would are windows in it, of course?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend is so. I know all about McCarthy." six. Come in!" "I cannot imagine." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I will not look." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again any more." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door was a lad." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking companion. I. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the at once, for I have only half an hour." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage your Highness to the police-station?" colour had been driven from his face. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. really the only notable feature about the thing." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project friends, not even his own brother. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her here and I will read it to you: seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Married! When?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Pope's Court. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Not social, then?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the bed, and you in that chair." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the house with me." "Was he the only applicant?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a mystery." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Never,' said I. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lectures into a series of tales." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "An enemy?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Young McCarthy must be got off, however." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. did not hear it also.' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us in his hands." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. leaning back in his chair. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was throat." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for which should have the effect of calling the attention of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen presume?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to redistribution. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." his huge brown hands. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is 1.F. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Did he not advertise?" man. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I fear not." "I do." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It beg that you will break it off." respectable self." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the King without delay." What do you deduce from it?" it." "When did she vanish, then?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of