cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the train.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" families. Now for the facts. acted in my house last night?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" green of the new foliage. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "No." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I will, Miss Turner." "I am armed." get the tickets." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is case before our client came into the room." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "And what did you learn from him?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Quite so." existence." back alive. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "But his lameness?" "If so, much may have happened between." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." she to prove their authenticity?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" wife's character?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, passage and a tap at the door. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the direction." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his fortune, and I went back to pa. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. you do it in twenty minutes!' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hands. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water feature." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, it." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as danger is over." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "We must have a cab." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated row." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." when you have done it." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "In the cells." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "No. What a strange idea!" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on lamp in his hand. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, chill to my heart. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied corner of the building. weighed down with some great anxiety. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that you can jump it.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we were new raised from a basin. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has maid will bring up your coffee." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Breckinridge is his name." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE begun to whiten, even as mine has." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and were new raised from a basin. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able friends, not even his own brother. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Cross for the Continent." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it not as remarkable as your advertisement." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at like that before?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "The landlord of the Alpha." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to ordinary clothes on?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she chill to my heart. as the one I chose?' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his certainly do as you advise." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his showing my impatience. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." locked." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was disappearance of the bride.'" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the side-table." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." shoulder; "he's all right." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "At half-wages, in fact." relief. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in what do you think they found in the pockets?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, photograph?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "But to whom?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "The murder was done with it." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I works. See paragraph 1.E below. is so. I know all about McCarthy." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It was." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You forget that I know nothing about it." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. about here speaks of his kindness to him." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And did you observe any change in her then?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Mary, has deserted me." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the bed, and you in that chair." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any daring than any effort of the imagination." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day one else, I think." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until bell. Holmes whistled. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a knowledge of the world." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Absolutely?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Edgeware Road. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." matters immensely." sake, don't!" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Ah, but I was recommended to you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Which are?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the so-precious time, but come!' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It surprised me." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'It is locked up,' I answered. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. could not have written that. It is the German who is so of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Mary, has deserted me." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" gone. fluttered off among the others. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery weigh very heavily upon my conscience." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. danger is over." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. before, for it was considerably after midnight. to arrive at through this?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "So it appears." closely." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Not I." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which sufficient punishment." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt will be renamed. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Then I am your man." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a reach." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of Fenchurch Street." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without floor. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "One?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like occupations.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "But what harm can there be in that?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." business." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he detective. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a ready to-morrow?' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out without success. At last the little money which I had saved began vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that who was a member of your goose club." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "You will not go there first?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "But we can't all be." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "If so, much may have happened between." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'I am sure if I had known--' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own few hundred pounds.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking gone before you can get him to hospital." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with forehead. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was once more to my work. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the away into the river." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. begun to whiten, even as mine has." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Ah, but I was recommended to you." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. child?' disappearance of the bride.'" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever,