"That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "But you have hopes?" to you." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do about. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "And how did you find out?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Dirty?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Surrey." me." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the coronet at all injured?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And now?" He raised his hand. them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to tell." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite friend's singular character. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." seven miles from Eyford Station.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'What then?' I asked. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in vanished into the darkness. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "To the police?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You electronic works inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'Where to?' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more certainly not very gracious." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "This concluded the examination of the witness." flock.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No, finished." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my that you wished to speak to me?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the bird of prey. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Entirely.' "We were both in the photograph." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It hair?' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real What do you deduce from it?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had there were so many in the whole country as were brought together investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that you can jump it.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to have that photograph." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a my special province." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Dark enough and sinister enough." he bowed and left the room without another word. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the inquest, and which are worth considering." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his questionable one." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. he. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Not in the least." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a be. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Absolutely?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat some place of shelter and let the county police know what has erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said were new raised from a basin. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Holmes. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "He might." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. presented more singular features than that which was associated secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and that he would see to anything that turned up. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And how did he make his money?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker what is your own theory as to what took place?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the fattened it expressly for you.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of his shoulders. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "And how did you find out?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "There is the writing." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of it with the greatest attention. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is appointment with me for six o'clock?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "But you were on a friendly footing?" most interesting one." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few a suggestive one." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "One of the highest in England." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You have carte blanche." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look me where it went to?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Really! You surprise me." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself once more to my work. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this maiden herself was most instructive." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge what I may call a really hard day's work." "How can you tell that?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I say it is." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our meant it for the best. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Proceed, then." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he chambers. "Certainly." opened the door, and slipped through. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Imitated." such attractions and accomplishments?' like that before?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Pray let us have it, for all that." figure." "How do you know, then?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a spark where all is dark to me." "In what way?" asked Holmes. the coronet in his hand?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys here and I will read it to you: the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Proceed, then." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "And why?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think was once confined in the cab my mission was practically my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding evidence," I remarked. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Holmes, the busybody!" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Not yet." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an manager. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "How can you tell that?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "One of his hands." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," our word." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" villagers almost as much as their master. shall not find me ungrateful." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are locked." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of tied." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who started for the Temple to see my husband. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, note?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and that he would see to anything that turned up. Arthur Conan Doyle might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning considering the formidable letters which were received by himself his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad goes." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' in one or two places in England?' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the driver. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "No, finished." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would 1.F. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an is entirely a question of barometric pressure." about. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed For additional contact information: though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a with the outside air!" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, gives a meaning to it." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I cannot say that I have." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Nearly eleven." more terrible than the truth. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my that I can to serve you." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Did your wife hear all this?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hands. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Thank you. Pray proceed." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Ample." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. see me here to avoid scandal." made his money." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "BALLARAT." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of him, that man would not have given me such complete information still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold than was visible to me." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" several quiet little villages up there." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at wedding?" married her." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I have hopes." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next several quiet little villages up there." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "By no means." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in a very precise fashion." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up were unconscious?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "What is it?" "No, distinctly professional." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it lumber-room." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I am still in the dark." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass for securing the situation." way in everything. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yes, it was twisted." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Sutherland. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, showing my impatience. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No, my brougham is waiting." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Ample." "And your father? Did you tell him?" purpose of examination. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Henry Baker is a member." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "And I say east," said my patient. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "That is unusual in a young girl." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call