secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case my special province." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the fact, we may call it conclusive." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Nothing." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, your Highness to the police-station?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with started for the Temple to see my husband. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could newspaper selections." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Yes." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be chamber." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Lee, in the county of Kent." "Yes, only one." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should if I call to-morrow?" mysterious business." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Not I." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Not particularly." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "But she will refuse." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He him to go away.' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it possible that we could bring him back to her? saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long once more on the important position which you have been fortunate then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Entirely." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible retorted upon me, and I on you." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return go--none." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden again, where I was soon asleep. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and wait." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to at home. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "And Miss Sutherland?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was his cane at the bell-pull. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over allusion to a rat. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Quite sure, dad.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Miss Holder?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the observed. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my tassel actually lying upon the pillow. one which it was hard to resist. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You will not go there first?" "Entirely." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either results." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "But she could not love him." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the electronic works them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, again, where I was soon asleep. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Precisely." at my own good fortune. wall." is acting for the best. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we train from Paddington which would bring you there at about once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me one's self under obligations.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most which we had just quitted. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'No, I know no one in these parts.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "My opinion is in no way altered." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any he. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'Ample.' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white might have a private word with us. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Dark enough and sinister enough." I have it here in my museum." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in plantation.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "If I can be of use." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No legal papers or certificates?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hands. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I answered that I had not. papers must be those that are destroyed.' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to foresight and the moral retrogression?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down friends, not even his own brother. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to-night?" I asked. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention shall not find me ungrateful." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Nothing." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Leadenhall Street--and--" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Upon what point?" introspective fashion. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet go--none." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last attention." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE appointment with me for six o'clock?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that lectures into a series of tales." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as it." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "About a month then." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Leave Paddington by the 11:15." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came mysterious end." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray detective. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my undoubtedly my uncle's." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one is acting for the best. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains client, rising. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Pope's Court. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from goes." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. learned something! Where are the gems?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Then I am your man." carpenter." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Entirely.' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, confronted him. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Mary, has deserted me." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I don't believe it." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which are rolled in Rotterdam." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I have hopes." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 to-night's adventure." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Well, some hundreds of times." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Well, some hundreds of times." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "My private note-paper." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any constraint." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." memory. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your awkward doing business with an alias." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. little trying to do so much typewriting?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Why did you beat the pavement?" easy-going way." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "You are hungry," I remarked. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes. He waved his hands." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and no precautions can guard against." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And sit in the dark?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" for securing the situation." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. bird I ate is country bred." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You heard nothing yourself last night?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the salesman. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "And I." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At horse could go." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I am in hopes that she does." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You have it, sir, just as it happened." any." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in this note: seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, everything which you would wish to know." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean were wasted." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Project Gutenberg-tm works. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them drove away. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided.