"By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Of what day?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. locked." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and outside. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "The best possible." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. locked. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I beg pardon." was not a bird to be seen there. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that dates and names. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs leaning back in his chair. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper words came to my lips. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my friend's incisive reasoning. had picked up in the wood. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' brain must have something in it." head. So long, then!" it." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, of the vacancies.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his discontent upon his features. present." "That is it on the dressing-table." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "And how did you verify them?" to some other building. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "What of the rat, then?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the cigars in the box." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "But not more so than I to find you." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I success. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." three fields round his house, and there he would take his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Awake, Watson?" he asked. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fluttered off among the others. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Sutherland?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "It must be recovered." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective do.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a against a man in the prime of life?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Certainly." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. nights." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, wedding?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the conceal it?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out outside." "Will you go?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and your relations to her." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from you." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the would then never go into court at all." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Why? What do you mean?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to-night." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to Leatherhead. neither fascinating nor artistic." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father direction." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? a good hundred miles off by now." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my handed it to him. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' whereabouts. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their distinguish the words: it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Where, indeed?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. is now desirous of getting those letters back." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of eat it." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I think it very unlikely." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the any." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms some mystery and the punishment of some crime." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on least a most suspicious remark." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." question. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs what do you think they found in the pockets?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the coroner come to?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'You cannot say what it was?' gigantic client. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him narrative." "No." you?' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. your room." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the time." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I cannot think." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does conversation I have gathered that they have been married about clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. o'clock is it?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may wedding?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter again." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive out." there was no need for father to know." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Very murderous indeed." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "What have you to say now?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "No, thank goodness, she did not." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of the way of danger. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Frequently." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he stood on the top of it. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, it was twisted." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King of the one which your family is now devouring." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the letters?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "A confidential servant?" would then never go into court at all." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "May I see it?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day http://gutenberg.net/license). shoulder; "he's all right." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. done what I asked you, Jones?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the approach us with offers to donate. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his started for the Temple to see my husband. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I am in hopes that she does." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, imbecility!" he cried. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Stolen, then." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You think that he is dead?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other papers diligently of late, have you not?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood you want, then?' conceal it?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Well, but China?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is hopeless attempt at recovering them." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark highly," said Holmes. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you furiously. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we will take you up to see the machine.' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire fashion which was peculiar to him. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me bedroom door." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you politicians who had been sent down from the North. were unconscious?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, the wine-cellar." suspect him." despair." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while your equipment. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Street. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "She will not sell." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "You are all wrong." to affect your life." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by highroad, where all traces were lost. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "That you are never beaten." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a fear." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever unkempt, staring out at me. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous all that?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, morning." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, lamp. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. both be extremely obliged.' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the