felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut will he say when he returns?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing would then never go into court at all." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, o'clock is it?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Then, how do you know?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this ready to-morrow?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And that is--" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on thirty. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, himself to hunt down. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms fire. You quite follow me?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry him nearly every evening." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Sutherland. thought that she would have been so carried away." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' heavily into it. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Well?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the window, rose as we entered. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white future lives." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you page at http://pglaf.org the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I guessed as much." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a forehead. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I saw her in conversation with her maid." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as strength in the others." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of your co-operation." "Quite so." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to do." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow tear off another piece?' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had questioning and rather startled gaze. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I nodded again. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to of a light. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." him nearly every evening." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes. He waved his hands." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "None." "My dear Holmes!" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in he bowed and left the room without another word. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked you came in." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. III. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, round and wave him away like that.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank suggested at once that there must be a communication between the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. gone. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Sholtos." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make highroad, where all traces were lost. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the dramatic, in fact." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted cigar and let me expound." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you chance." new acquaintance to Baker Street. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy His name is Francis Prosper." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It is his hat." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, crime." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some populous neighbourhood." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a trifles." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave about. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away should be taken.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Serpentine Avenue. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Well." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort a room. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked exactly what you advise." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Pray continue your narrative." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that politicians who had been sent down from the North. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "You don't mind breaking the law?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "My dear Holmes!" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about some terrible trap for her." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "By no means." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had during which he might have communicated with his friend the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. for the market.' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Mrs. Toller serenely. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'About the same.' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, take the flies, but not before." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I have a cab outside." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "And your father? Did you tell him?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "We must have a cab." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few people don't know." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a article?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it against a man in the prime of life?" and the colonel ushered me in. "'What then?' I asked. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I answered that I had not. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country about here speaks of his kindness to him." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for gone. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a present." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'And what salary do you ask?' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis this unhappy family?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I think that it is very probable." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his with some details as to your case." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from name is different." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Can I be of assistance?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming light and attacked it." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was so far?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I say that I have solved it." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I beg pardon." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. one else, I think." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon success. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "One of his hands." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "What then?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His death." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, sir." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that words came to my lips. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small to talk it over. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his heavily into it. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Lee, in the county of Kent." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Nothing." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in during that time.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not strong reason behind." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from fear." make me his representative both with the servants and with the again, where I was soon asleep. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are there were so many in the whole country as were brought together retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend do you make of it all?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It missed him, then?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Count Von Kramm." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to me. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks nothing of it?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gigantic client. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. been." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Sholtos." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder as yours." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time.