present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "And that is--" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "And why?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project both be extremely obliged.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage already been minutely examined." to-night?' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I meant." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him had this final quarrel? back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, later, upon the night of May 2nd." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the running down." young Openshaw's." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray a little more before I quite committed myself. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as and have this put in the evening papers." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'And what are they worth?' I asked. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. tell them apart.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "It is a murder, then?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine upon the white wrist. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes, the wine-cellar." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." empty. "Then, how do you know?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the tragedy. a good hundred miles off by now." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Will you go?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me certainly not very gracious." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that carried out of court." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Why? What do you mean?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child definite end. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began rooms." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always fluttered off among the others. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider perplexity from it to my illustrious client. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in other, as fresh and trim as possible. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until again." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Yes." affection." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is trifles." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." him." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And what did you learn from him?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, were unconscious?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Where could I find him?' "Stoke Moran?" said he. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Chief Executive and Director fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "There are none." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. have got?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "My dear Holmes!" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain never to learn it at all." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Stoke Moran." happened." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the secret." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fear." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I will, Miss Turner." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which made his money." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without several quiet little villages up there." McCarthy." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "There are none." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. some city in a dream. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your comes from the middle window." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Bought." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to tied." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding is entirely a question of barometric pressure." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was time." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of fled together." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Yes." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of is worth.' "At the wedding breakfast." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And how?" "'Where could I find him?' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to-night?" I asked. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was indeed which he could not unravel. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I to have been novel and of interest." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily your co-operation." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held The telegram which we eventually received came late one night akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Not I." me. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was papers must be those that are destroyed.' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business you want, then?' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt during which he might have communicated with his friend the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." results." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged place no limit on the sum I may draw." never to learn it at all." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." as the one I chose?' London for the present?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. side. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his read over the extraordinary announcement. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most noise which awoke you from your sleep?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual looking up at the numbers of the houses." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his figure." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer way in everything. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I cannot as yet see any connection." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys his fortune, and I went back to pa. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It is possible." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his on re-entering her father's house?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is nothing with him." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I kindly on the shoulder. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch ordinary clothes on?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time ashen face. definite end. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Yes." digesting their breakfasts at home." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that without a word or a look. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the Assizes." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I will try. What is it?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Whose house is it?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than asked with his eyes open. Where does the thing come from?' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it take the flies, but not before." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It villagers almost as much as their master. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. point in the dark hollow of his hand. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net too. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her take the flies, but not before." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I cannot imagine." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what deduce something from that?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to man. I know him from the photograph." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. lamp. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Nothing." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a unprofitable." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the nursery. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery again on its way. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Clair, of Lee." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "In heaven's name, what for?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Yes. He waved his hands." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be until night should bring an explanation. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the coronet in his hand?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has words came to my lips. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not roused himself from his reverie. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Was there a secret marriage?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled his huge brown hands. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the King without delay." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, pressing in one house as in another. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "No more words. Get out!" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so hereditary King of Bohemia." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. him to go away.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but some city in a dream. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight