"There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am not within a twentieth part of the market price." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. in his hands." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie be. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties to have been novel and of interest." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate new duties?' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be drove away. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I in a very precise fashion." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. be there in time for your coming." confronted him. walking." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "What office?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "You think so, too?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the nonsense.' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "There are none." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "A call for help, you thought?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were foresight and the moral retrogression?" miles off. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I see no marks." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I would apply.' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with the outside air!" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net at my remark. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her writer." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "None." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, any little problem which you may submit to me." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. meant." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Nothing." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the acted in my house last night?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and cigars in their mouths. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "You have carte blanche." again." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the inquest, and which are worth considering." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I cannot as yet see any connection." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Did he not advertise?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible it with his own hands." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the events, Mr. Windibank!" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most ago." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "What! Had he lost his wife?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the IS which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Pool. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" be sorry for having acted so harshly." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It you want, then?' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "And you thought he was pulled back?" Chief Executive and Director word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid of note-paper. It read in this fashion: colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'How far from the body?' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "She will not sell." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "So I am. Very much so." unprofitable." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, walking." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. he bowed and left the room without another word. "The murder was done with it." sufficient punishment." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, man. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Do you receive much company?" he asked. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder chair. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it passage and a tap at the door. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'I have heard so.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who habit of advancing money.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler hereditary King of Bohemia." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A matters immensely." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Gutenberg-tm License. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and have this put in the evening papers." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Where could I find him?' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Upon what point?" tension within him. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "What, then?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking certainly do as you advise." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and your relations to her." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian wife's character?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying papers." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the disappearance of these gems?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Never." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. might help us?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "The knees of his trousers." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "But to whom?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady crowd. events, Mr. Windibank!" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady has little to do with my story." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and that he would see to anything that turned up. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Thank you. Pray proceed." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to without a word or a look. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I suddenly upon us." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Countess of Morcar's?" "I cannot say that I have." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. again on its way. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that you wished to speak to me?' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'No, I know no one in these parts.' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few name is different." lips." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you I took the paper from him and read as follows: another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Could he throw no light?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost straighten it?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods brought there to personate someone, and the real person is rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "The rest you will leave in our hands." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'Never,' said I. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I whereabouts. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "That you are never beaten." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that you can jump it.' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I am sure." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, whether it answered to the description of any of their through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Then let me do so?' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" that there was nothing in it, after all." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some again on its way. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "The King of Scandinavia." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "On the contrary, this is the right side." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Frequently." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all paper in the air. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Yes, only one." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Did you become engaged then?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What then?" and looked back. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Game for a morning drive?" father's young wife. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" have established a very serious case against the son of the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation comes from the middle window." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "And from a noble client?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a back into the street. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, row." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Entirely." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to some other building. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have as he folded up the epistle. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still said he. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "No." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Then I do not see the point." brandy and water within his reach. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of signal between you and your father? glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the system of imprisonment?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day recall any case within my experience which looked at the first wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Nothing." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in to take care of herself." would apply.' see me here to avoid scandal." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it asked with his eyes open. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any was the fact that his father should, according to his account, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "No, thank goodness, she did not." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Did you become engaged then?" beg that you will break it off." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but