"We have tried and failed." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "That's no good." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Holmes. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Precisely." "None." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Most admirably.' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet ourselves in the office." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You are hungry," I remarked. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who helping a boy to put up the shutters. with you alone." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." again." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I will try. What is it?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in charge against him will break down." "Why, what do you mean?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Where, indeed?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a miles off. hurried away. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "From his hat?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "How did you deduce the select?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it where she found matters as described by the last witness. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "This photograph!" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of shoulder; "he's all right." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to together. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his several quiet little villages up there." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation 'I should be able to look after that for you.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "May I see it?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of have accepted such a situation. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Then you may be so with me." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "From his hat?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before taking in every detail of the apartment. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties any." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if again on its way. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in row." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that you wished to speak to me?' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a stood on the top of it. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "BALLARAT." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to manager. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be of the way of danger. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Dr. Gregory B. Newby Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange asked. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Then I am your man." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in his hands." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "None." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great soul! here is her carriage at the door." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "But how?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by you?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that voice, changing her seat as requested. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "And for present expenses?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched woman." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt hour." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with could not have written that. It is the German who is so eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange stood on the top of it. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so ourselves in the office." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow upon an income of about 60 pounds." the devil!" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out fasten all the windows?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Now, then, what's the last entry?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Then, how do you know?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not knowledge of the world." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I shaken than I had ever seen him. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I should be immensely obliged to you." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I think it very unlikely." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys think, you have already met." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what this as likely?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. was feeling which was the fattest.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'And the work?' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, astonishment. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any your own bird, so if you wish--" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to-night?' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." as he remarks, very much against the son." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "The Coroner: What do you mean? of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being rat could hardly pass through." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "She walked into the breakfast-room." "But you can know nothing of this?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes putting in the horse. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Whose house is it?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Nothing?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "She showed me, as I told you she would." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Did you observe the colour?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "No, I am descending." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I any more." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay this truth that in these little records of our cases which you It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and I shall be with you presently." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Did you observe the colour?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can both be extremely obliged.' he died? "I know where it is." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. was a loud and authoritative tap. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done awkward doing business with an alias." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "That is it on the dressing-table." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Then how many are there?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland this man was intellectual?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Well?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire young Openshaw's." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Very much so." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Well, it is a possible supposition." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's other means.' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "A confidential servant?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Only as much as we can deduce." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You have carte blanche." voice, changing her seat as requested. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of Fenchurch Street." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking cost them two and thirty pounds." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this chamber." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "But he might be a bachelor." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, nonsense.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is in your London, you will know that the office of the company is nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and question. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King are, I think, all that we need." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel whatever might befall. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "On Monday." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, seen the man in the road." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned drawing your inferences." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'And the work?' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Countess of Morcar's?" entirely lost his self-respect." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world."