"I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "And help." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Ah, but I was recommended to you." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Her father is very rich?" "'Oh, no.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad any more." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Absolutely none." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better been." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had made his money." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else himself in a perplexing position. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further here and I will read it to you: "'What, the red-headed man?' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "He disappeared so suddenly." "Yes, sir." "'You cannot say what it was?' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Countess of Morcar's?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. strong and stiff." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Well, some hundreds of times." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in darkness. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as will not take me long to tell. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back congratulate you again." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. works. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This indeed happy." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Always." status with the IRS. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was I. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do before, for it was considerably after midnight. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments opportunities to fix the problem. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with recover the gem." Pool. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." point in the dark hollow of his hand. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the past. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, had this final quarrel? side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Yes, that is the Crown." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them eavesdroppers?' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage crime. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Very good.' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and was it brought him the coronet? rooms." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Holmes." go back?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond cost them two and thirty pounds." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. my little problems." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it door?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I held the little printed slip to the light. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his excitement. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But you would not advise me to refuse?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove invisible to me," I remarked. your Highness to the police-station?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in purpose of examination. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Perhaps we may make them less so." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Leadenhall Street--and--" the morning and make my own way in the world.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs minor matters until to-morrow." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either details." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the note?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What! You do not mean bodies?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the inquest, and which are worth considering." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and 1.F. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of ago." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the bottom.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." your own bird, so if you wish--" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Where, indeed?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Then I do not see the point." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered shadow pass over his face as I spoke. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told mystery." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Yes." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in my life." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'As governess?' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the purpose equally well?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Bought." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Entirely.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I cannot imagine." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "What of the rat, then?" interests were the same as his." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'What are you doing there?' he asked. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "VIOLET HUNTER." success. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to seem to you to be relevant or not." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of them has the shutters up.' "Why? What do you mean?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little orange pips. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a his knees, staring into the fire. this remarkable episode. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Not yet." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "No good news?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure carried out of court." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in his huge brown hands. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of the way of danger. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to tell." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address me have 200 pounds?' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United always that they were such commands as a lady might with Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is to affect your life." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated just called myself is not exactly my own." there is a decided draught." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And when will you call?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the tragedy. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Murdered?" nights." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Eyford." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy remarked. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I there when the Rucastles went away." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, peculiar to him. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Most admirably.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. official police." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing his huge brown hands. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second said he. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Yes, it was gone.' "And the murderer?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Holmes, the busybody!" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I would pay ten." "That is it on the dressing-table." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he yet." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the devil!" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I into the room. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Married! When?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Watson," he said cordially. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You until night should bring an explanation. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of dates and names. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders face and glided from the room. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the if I call to-morrow?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself second window is the one that I jumped from." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or