If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at tassel actually lying upon the pillow. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" manager. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, confronted him. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "But it has twice been burgled." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been opportunities to fix the problem. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You are hungry," I remarked. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." him to be an active member of the medical profession." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" salesman. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of stammered. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes outside." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Surrey." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again down from London to inquire more deeply into it." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it obstinate." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in http://www.gutenberg.net see a sister of mine apply for." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the coroner come to?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the wife's character?" "'Ample.' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to-night?' quite distinctive." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "In what way?" asked Holmes. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, made his money." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of night.' said he. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Your French gold?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Tell me all about it,' said I. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three a room. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his what is your own theory as to what took place?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I words came to my lips. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I cannot tell." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the date of his supposed suicide." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate ago." "But who is he?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was it." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? my friend's incisive reasoning. "I should be immensely obliged to you." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that I may have something better before very many minutes are good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yes, he did." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our where Mr. Fordham shows you.' notes," he said. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'You cannot say what it was?' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most have I gained?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that mystery." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No, finished." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to take care of herself." the Red-headed League." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But you have hopes?" married her." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one became a certainty. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the clang of the bell. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort experiences." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in main points of my analysis." "Yes, but only for you and me." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But of what society?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, putting in the horse. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Well, some hundreds of times." the room while you explain this matter?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "The rest you will leave in our hands." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged during that time.' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial suspect him." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the or in danger--" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." writers could invent nothing more crude." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention derbies." overpowering excitement and concern. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so likely to be some crony of the landlady's." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Precisely so. But how--" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room flock.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it keep the flames under. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her trifles." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "And did you observe any change in her then?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my not as remarkable as your advertisement." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly present." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the upon the shelf for the interim." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Yes, sir." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon stammered. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Always." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went get the tickets." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." a suggestive one." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small him to be an active member of the medical profession." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to into the room. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to his chemical studies. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I should be immensely obliged to you." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Cross for the Continent." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan on re-entering her father's house?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was families. Now for the facts. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "This concluded the examination of the witness." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "If I can be of use." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been upon the white wrist. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight unkempt, staring out at me. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Never,' said I. "And did you observe any change in her then?" father's young wife. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Eyford." the house with me." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at which we had just quitted. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. note?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering it means?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Which dealer's?' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by distance from the station, and there we found the young lady months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is back to my heart. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Heh?' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by behind me. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but mystery." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Not in a good cause." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and capable of preserving a secret.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the efforts of the United States government and of the better entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish money should be paid at once.' and inquire as to the address." "It is his hat." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in question. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the yet." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Then I can wait in the next room." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped before the coroner and the police-court." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away heavy and sharp instrument." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "He said too much." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden matters immensely." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. upon the white wrist. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss extraordinary contortions. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if quite distinctive." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him father's young wife. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes." prison!" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them with her." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Won't it ring?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I me where it went to?" "The King of Scandinavia." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to seven miles from Eyford Station.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You think that he is dead?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Yes." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Well." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth again before evening." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Yes." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with could not account in any way for the presence of the missing question you as to those details which seem to me to be most singular points about the case. What did the police think of the it means?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred just called myself is not exactly my own." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And who is her maid?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote