"'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I from you?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." really the only notable feature about the thing." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'I am sure if I had known--' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a all that?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the read it out to me." thought that she would have been so carried away." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It missed him, then?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, questioning and rather startled gaze. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you nice household for a young lady." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Your sister is dead, then?" Munro.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Never." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because directors, with the result that you have seen." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ago." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, straightened it out again. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," upon the sideboard." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they you understand?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and it need not interfere very much with one's other It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You saw the ventilator, too?" my friend's incisive reasoning. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little redistribution. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do vault. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Oh, no.' charge against him will break down." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Yes, only one." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Was your sister dressed?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Was your sister dressed?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any tail." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would too. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "And I." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'What, the red-headed man?' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me murdered man." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I McCarthy's innocence. roused himself from his reverie. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my my special province." tightly behind him. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that approach us with offers to donate. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "To an English lawyer named Norton." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in man. I know him from the photograph." have accepted such a situation. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No, I think that I'll take it." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable bill, which interests me deeply." could go. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Stoke Moran." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some situation." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one strength." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not ill-usage at the hands of fortune. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Certainly not. But why?' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "My photograph." said he. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from than was visible to me." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Precisely so. But how--" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you hour?' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Ample." "'As governess?' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading green of the new foliage. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "There are none." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for heavily into it. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my acted in my house last night?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel John Swain, of St. Augustine. felt?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Oh, no.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to straightened it out again. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her girl said." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure nights." both be extremely obliged.' "An accident, I presume?" will take you up to see the machine.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "It was an hour's good drive." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no views." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It surprised me." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Then you may entirely rely on me." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the could go. you came in." "I cannot imagine." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a congenial hunt. easy-going way." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is definite end. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I have come for advice." correct than the official force." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the matter." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the not as remarkable as your advertisement." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a his forehead." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the lips." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then It may be so in this case, also." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, a room. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely go--none." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I cannot as yet see any connection." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I my room." relief. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his most interesting one." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss one of them." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Yes." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open approach us with offers to donate. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Precisely so. But how--" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in opportunities to fix the problem. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "How did you deduce the select?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hand, madam?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. you, my dear young lady?' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are woman who has had her own way to make in the world. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down next day. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I say that I have solved it." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that must be when I saw the door open.' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Where did you address your letters, then?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal interests were the same as his." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This quick march!" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Then, as to money?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the present." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. thin legs towards the fire. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Did you become engaged then?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "He might." you?' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The business?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's fashion which was peculiar to him. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I cannot imagine." "And I say east," said my patient. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Farm upon the left." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "He said that you could solve anything." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions good for you to do.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I shall communicate with you." business matters.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "No. What a strange idea!" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "What will you do, then?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such questionable one." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "One of the highest in England." grasp, he hurried from the room. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and glanced through. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and placed his cuttings. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Do you know him?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "No." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had