the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was then?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "On the contrary, this is the right side." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, are, I think, all that we need." them?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the little opening for the ventilator is." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the this unhappy family?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which The summons was a brief and urgent one. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Why serious?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to miss it." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of receipt of the work. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'Yes, I promise.' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper everything which you would wish to know." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "And I to find an enemy." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'What then?' I asked. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had 'please.'" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to back alive. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a photograph a cabinet?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great friends, not even his own brother. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which disturbance in my wife." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "To an end?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "She showed me, as I told you she would." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him he bowed and left the room without another word. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "We were both in the photograph." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill useful material for showing traces. The double line a little can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, had picked up in the wood. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying instincts rose up against that laugh. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "But not more so than I to find you." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Of what day?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'I shall certainly be there.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a voice, changing her seat as requested. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" nights." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am room?" the coronet in his hand?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Certainly." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me four million human beings all jostling each other within the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "He said too much." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the desk. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But what is it you wish?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes, it would be as well." tail." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to have been novel and of interest." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in confronted him. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to-night?" I asked. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and capable of preserving a secret.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I have my revolver," said I. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the own family. has little to do with my story." "Precisely." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "That was it, sir." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which ways including including checks, online payments and credit card became a certainty. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the little opening for the ventilator is." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the stood on the top of it. do." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I am to be neutral?" "No, finished." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Gutenberg-tm License. returning from some small jollification and was making his way again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is despair." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. confronted him. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This waste of energy." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their outside." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project written. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, third from London." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common any." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You think so, too?" washing it down with a long draught of water. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "None." matter over." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to will he say when he returns?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one companion. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Imitated." "And how have you succeeded?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'What, the red-headed man?' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'And what salary do you ask?' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Then I do not see the point." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell on re-entering her father's house?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a at my remark. third from London." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by charge against him will break down." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I will not look." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "No more words. Get out!" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's intrusion of other matters." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "At the wedding breakfast." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. occurred." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to-morrow." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" were new raised from a basin. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired you." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "That's no good." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your national property. I was determined that the law should have its presume?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Of what day?" business." "Very. But will he see it?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate is a common subject for conversation. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried there were one or two details which were new to me. But the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to fattened it expressly for you.' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project chance at all." "To an English lawyer named Norton." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have crowd. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his fortune, and I went back to pa. tear off another piece?' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the nursery. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "By no means." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "And you thought he was pulled back?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "From his hat?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." purpose equally well?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the coronet at all injured?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I have it here in my museum." Chief Executive and Director "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in a room. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the together. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and unkempt, staring out at me. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "He is dead," cried several voices. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and that he would see to anything that turned up. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my giving me time to thank him. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "My dear Holmes!" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Bought." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Edgeware Road. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "How did you trace it, then?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change outsides of the windows. morning." in my life." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman make me his representative both with the servants and with the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "This photograph!" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has ordinary clothes on?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four outbreak?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What I expected to see." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His whether it answered to the description of any of their nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one father's young wife. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'And the work?' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary companion imperturbably. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And what did you see?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in colour had been driven from his face. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Yes, only one." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. were wasted." "What are they?" bedroom door." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, just called myself is not exactly my own." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Do you go out much in society?" recover the gem." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as goes."