plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Leadenhall Street--and--" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which God! What an exposure! What can I do?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time point our research must commence, and we will begin it by know that the truth is known." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Precisely." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your wedding?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do door?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations to-night." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You were travelling in the States?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly business?" foot. awaited us upon the table. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to friend's singular character. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. directly by questioning you." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the best of training." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "How did he come?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of it with the greatest attention. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a notes," he said. to-night?" I asked. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." once more for Briony Lodge. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to some other building. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the time." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in his hands." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton to-morrow." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. 1.E.9. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal but preventing her from injuring another. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." to change my dress. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. neither fascinating nor artistic." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "That is unusual in a young girl." meant it for the best. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest works. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no conceal it?" would then never go into court at all." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To fattened it expressly for you.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Can I be of assistance?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I know where it is." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his room had already been engaged for us. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of British peeress.'" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to take care of herself." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, presented more singular features than that which was associated "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Indeed! Whose, then?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to brain must have something in it." "I guessed as much." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Why that?' I asks. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the call for it in person on Monday morning.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental undoubtedly my uncle's." "Could he throw no light?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It wedding?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in families. Now for the facts. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower know that the truth is known." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I have a cab outside." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds bears upon the case?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can will not take me long to tell. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the general public were present, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you for the market.' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his formed some opinion?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit been anything against him. He had for years been known as a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good wedding?" union?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I will get her to show me." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching IS was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from whereabouts. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner writing, and yet I know it well." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "You know me, then?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we that threaten you." gives a meaning to it." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'What, the red-headed man?' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its views." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we McCarthy." "Yes, only one." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Then, as to money?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I you." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously see a sister of mine apply for." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, tightly behind him. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the child." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "No, I had a dozen." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of chemical work which was so dear to him. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to of Fenchurch Street." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Eyford." until night should bring an explanation. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. union?" at once, for I have only half an hour." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Oh, yes, easily." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "It is half-past ten now." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, purpose of examination. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and all-comprehensive glances. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It troubles have been weighing upon his mind. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right me. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and wait." voice, changing her seat as requested. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "In answer to an advertisement." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his bearing upon the case." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to go--none." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It look upon these things in a different way." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and on re-entering her father's house?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Certainly." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of ourselves in the office." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fishes. papers." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "No, distinctly professional." "'Yes, sir.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net know all about it," he snarled. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I 'please.'" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "None." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned vanished into the darkness. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "One horse?" interjected Holmes. next day. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Was your sister dressed?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "What do you mean?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders read it out to me." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'As governess?' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner anything to do with the matter?" "A client, then?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the stable lane now." hurried away. John Swain, of St. Augustine. Have you good authority for what you say?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to retorted upon me, and I on you." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "But how?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the has little to do with my story." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." new duties?' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the side. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from there." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down written, and locked the door of the office after me. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." States. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his It may be so in this case, also." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Holmes." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "That is not always so easy." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "We must have a cab." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between late." always that they were such commands as a lady might with I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Ample." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this?