"I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Street. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from mystery may be cleared along those lines." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you was shining brightly. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Street. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two you." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he becomes even more simple." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And why?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are never will be, entirely cleared up. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have got?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here hair?' more terrible than the truth. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. done what I asked you, Jones?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to train.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Did you become engaged then?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I cannot as yet see any connection." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. colour had been driven from his face. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." disturbance in my wife." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this ourselves in the office." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'I am sure that I do not know.' kindly on the shoulder. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally be best to do. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone head. So long, then!" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," here." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper what these perils are?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Witness: I must still refuse. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it papers." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "The murder was done with it." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' burst out into a roar of laughter. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the side-table." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Very good.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in coroner's jury." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "No legal papers or certificates?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "How long did she speak to this Alice?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the house with me." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Then the page we have seen--" despair." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "My photograph." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. all?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we appeared upon the scene." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to tell." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage before, for it was considerably after midnight. Leadenhall Street--and--" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely were wasted." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Seven!" I answered. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Witness: Nothing definite. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I was afraid that you were engaged." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "He is still with you, I presume?" in this way: "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "What do you mean?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I have a cab outside." hurried away. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Was there a secret marriage?" of it with the greatest attention. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears like that before?" "Then he might have called to you?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the your co-operation." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in a very grave face. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Can I be of assistance?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'And what salary do you ask?' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other tell them apart.' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I assure you that I am in your hands." congratulate you again." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'I have heard so.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the date of his supposed suicide." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of quite distinctive." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "No." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Holmes' room. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and States. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom from you?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than it." events, Mr. Windibank!" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And your father? Did you tell him?" side. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious know what is wrong with it.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this one which it was hard to resist. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. at my remark. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I will, Miss Turner." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the there has been an enclosure here!" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Is he quiet?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "In heaven's name, what for?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "But how will you look?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You have the photograph?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the our word." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time definite end. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and I shall be with you presently." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates enter Dr. Roylott's room." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his power." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall lost nothing by them." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." residence of the great financier. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. on re-entering her father's house?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Breckinridge is his name." "'Certainly not. But why?' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I would pay ten." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You have the photograph?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and late!' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal really the only notable feature about the thing." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. there is a decided draught." "In which, sir?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy appointment with me for six o'clock?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the one as in the other." delighted to hear it," he said. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "No, my brougham is waiting." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down was shining brightly. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I will not take me long to tell. "Look there!" said he. all that?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes, from Horsham." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sooner or later she must fall a victim. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "To the police?" bonnet, and went out." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. one else, I think." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "No sign of it?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of get the tickets." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about your most interesting statement." chamber." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Yes." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your of the one which your family is now devouring." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Yes, sir." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Then you may be so with me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been your own bird, so if you wish--" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Yes." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came on in his house." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both to take care of herself." ourselves in the office." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to only touch the interest." "No." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his fortune, and I went back to pa. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is question," said Holmes, smiling. Sholtos." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored details." one of the states of the Union." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good vanished into the darkness. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." were unconscious?" south, for the country is more deserted there." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us.