broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Certainly not. But why?' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more shall use the carriage to-night." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector said Mr. Holder. "My dear Holmes!" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter since then to throw any light upon what became of him." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Lee, in the county of Kent." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. even so self-evident a thing as that." is a common subject for conversation. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its it." "Very truly yours, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of redistribution. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to IS "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You don't mind breaking the law?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made little trying to do so much typewriting?" events, Mr. Windibank!" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "But not more so than I to find you." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush manager. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George on re-entering her father's house?" this man was intellectual?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my your only hope of safety." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for introspective fashion. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, believe that I should never have any practice at all. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I will get her to show me." there was no need for father to know." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her helping a boy to put up the shutters. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Not in the least." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do furiously. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Then you may be so with me." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding fear." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and laid it on the table. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What do you make of that, Watson?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And I." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of that threaten you." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It certainly sounds feasible." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to you." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming remarked. "'What, the red-headed man?' "I would give my fortune to have them back." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage one of them." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, be.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "How on earth--" again before evening." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Witness: It was. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest geese which you supplied to the Alpha." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. get the tickets." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me visitors." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of telegram would bring me down to your help." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Well." Foundation Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, chance at all." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "What then?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'Yes, sir.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of his shoulders. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "When did it break out?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the one as in the other." "So it appears." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Just look it up, then." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "But she could not love him." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate if she died from some sudden fright." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Why that?' I asks. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "But not more so than I to find you." upon the shelf for the interim." most interesting one." "The landlord of the Alpha." forbidden door. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Have you good authority for what you say?" followed. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "None." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and no precautions can guard against." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and call you and give you the chance." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying happened." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the south-west, I see." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of upon the white wrist. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were she used." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge fattened it expressly for you.' "Her father is very rich?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, which our visitor detailed to us. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no bonnet, and went out." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and client, rising. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Yes.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "What is it?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Pray do so." voice. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must your bag." Mrs. Toller serenely. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Was he the only applicant?" "Nothing." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," some terrible trap for her." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "What office?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to-night?" I asked. bled considerably." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of passage and a tap at the door. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Not yet." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And for present expenses?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my up this clue while it is still hot." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for even of instruction." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. danger is over." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." society." was a perfect sample of the class. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort past. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you more solid." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Clair, of Lee." "'Never.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that true." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes, all." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue go from here to the Strand." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has child?' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows is four-and-twenty." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and posted to-day." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at better in every way that they should make their position a little out." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "How did he come?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back breakfast and whispered something to her husband. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered which was all perfectly true. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I saw her in conversation with her maid." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with there were so many in the whole country as were brought together framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." my friend's incisive reasoning. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with unprecedented a position." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, later, upon the night of May 2nd." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built is so. I know all about McCarthy." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Not yet." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. way in everything. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." sufficient punishment." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very became a certainty. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Heh?' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I You want to know what became of those geese?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him."