ago." "And I say east," said my patient. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so think you a quite exceptional woman." "Texas, I think." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless orange pips. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was seen the man in the road." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Do you go out much in society?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek should be so warm over such a trifle." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from in the port of London." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A himself in a perplexing position. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from seven miles from Eyford Station.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a together. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Lee, in the county of Kent." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Which dealer's?' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the salesman. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." tell them apart.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence meant." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Which are?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Certainly, madam." at my own good fortune. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "To an end?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hour." should be taken.' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back bachelor.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "You have a clue?" if I call to-morrow?" it were putty." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. was used.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for third from London." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And I to find an enemy." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "No." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can until night should bring an explanation. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "If so, much may have happened between." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the warnings." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered envelope. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the inner apartment." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." habit of advancing money.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you with you?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull noble correspondent could be. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I have my revolver," said I. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no approach us with offers to donate. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest side. too. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had is now desirous of getting those letters back." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture man. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he a little more before I quite committed myself. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! undoubtedly my uncle's." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And the cigar-holder?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is suddenly upon us." official police." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. up this clue while it is still hot." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his huge brown hands. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon long narrative. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I know where it is." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "That you are never beaten." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that cigars in the box." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Look there!" said he. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot character. certainly not very gracious." "He said too much." "Where did he live, then?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his people don't know." together. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Yes, there are nearly always some there." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like You want to know what became of those geese?" himself. "But to whom?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I shall continue with my miserable story. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. I am not easy in my mind about them." "But you can know nothing of this?" and your relations to her." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will man. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of friend's singular character. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were was a lad." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been woman." "What! You do not mean bodies?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." formed some opinion?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the Red-headed League." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can did not hear it also.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now that you saw all that I did." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Her father is very rich?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical The summons was a brief and urgent one. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm least a most suspicious remark." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, less than 26s. 4d. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, out of this horrible affair." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Perhaps I have." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." back to my heart. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he noting anything else of interest. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the inner apartment." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that I can to serve you." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that as he remarks, very much against the son." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from here and I will read it to you: "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Eyford at 11:15.' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "In answer to an advertisement." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods least a fellow-countryman. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes, only one." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine awkward doing business with an alias." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said down from London to inquire more deeply into it." distinguish the words: in his hands." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss train.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best October 9, 1890. is so. I know all about McCarthy." them?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to-morrow." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Did you observe the colour?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through this remarkable episode. meanly of me." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Very truly yours, "Then you may be so with me." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "But the mystery?" towards the blaze. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was strength of mind to control. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked my little problems." "This photograph!" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'No, I know no one in these parts.' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. colour had been driven from his face. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of acquaintance?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Not yet." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, better in every way that they should make their position a little the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. interests were the same as his." only touch the interest." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is It may be so in this case, also." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from status with the IRS. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Was your sister dressed?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander morning." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident national property. I was determined that the law should have its undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked was lame." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "What is it?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either about here speaks of his kindness to him." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, trying to your nerves." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "That is unusual in a young girl." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about perplexity from it to my illustrious client. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without shoulder. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked letters?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged investigation." them?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to you." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than situation." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And how did he make his money?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in views." ago." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "There are none." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have think that he is innocent?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Certainly." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose think that he is innocent?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical tension within him. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was noble correspondent could be. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "So I heard. You have him here?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I cannot imagine." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. here." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and files of the old papers, following the future career of every