acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Breckinridge is his name." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the running down." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall this man was intellectual?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug leave you to your papers for a little." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Then I shall certainly come." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" as yours." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "And Irene Adler?" "I shall be delighted." together. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I for and were ordered to this address. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. meant." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I don't believe it." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. was feeling which was the fattest.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. chance at all." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling mystery may be cleared along those lines." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when forecastle of an emigrant ship. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we as he folded up the epistle. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence populous neighbourhood." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been character. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, made his money." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could your Highness to the police-station?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that secret." had picked up in the wood. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than redistribution. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the address that was given us in the advertisement. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and acquaintance?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to his chemical studies. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Perhaps we may make them less so." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been with frightened eyes at his accuser. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some way in everything. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "How do you know, then?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Holmes rather sternly. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'It is locked up,' I answered. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And did you observe any change in her then?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, my room." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, come either from the window or the door. My attention was "How did you deduce the select?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely awaited us upon the table. in his hands." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his face which made him a very different person to the round, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "It certainly sounds feasible." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." been shamefully used." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may reach." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does bonnet, and went out." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." me. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Has he come with you to-night?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." you." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather at my own good fortune. "I am armed." man. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the again before evening." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "The landlord of the Alpha." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his eyes and forehead. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You did not overhear what they said?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner his face which made him a very different person to the round, not, dad?" she asked. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three said he. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "10th. John Swain cleared. do you make of it all?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small stalked out of the room. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own to tackle the facts." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Ample." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. quickly through a disagreeable task. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray burst out into a roar of laughter. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "He might." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fact, we may call it conclusive." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they fat-encircled eyes. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are extraordinary contortions. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I assure you that I am in your hands." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes feature." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and your relations to her." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his been." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly note?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, instituted." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fled together." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "It is possible." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Was he the only applicant?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I am to be neutral?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I will, Miss Turner." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "But his lameness?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Certainly." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Oh, no.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, would apply.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the driver. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "The doctor?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps From what you have told me I think that it is possible that others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, arrangements." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall bled considerably." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was only touch the interest." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time public press." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I approached. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "No legal papers or certificates?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" bird of prey. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has mystery!" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This note?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen arms and began to sob in a high treble key. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "What steps will you take?" I asked. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent help us in this matter." had picked up in the wood. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I asked with his eyes open. dead, shall be safe with us." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Pope's Court. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "And from a noble client?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an call it cruel." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hereditary King of Bohemia." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked wife's character?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Do you know him?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some respectable self." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" events, Mr. Windibank!" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Where did he live, then?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you I shall communicate with you." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than if only as a check to my own memory." "But how?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which bears upon the case?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the loss of it. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. ourselves in the office." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my grasp, he hurried from the room. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your indeed happy." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "The best possible." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building hurried away. character. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Holmes. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her chance." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "An enemy?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "And how in the world did you find them?"