I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue father's place of business?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal golden eyeglasses. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "That you are never beaten." "I know where it is." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the matter." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and new duties?' "I fear not." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I will not look." row." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dates and names. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; such attractions and accomplishments?' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for more terrible than the truth. house for five minutes.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "And why in hopes?" "Ten will be early enough." are, and they are waiting for us." "Have you it here?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Very well, sir. And this stone?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you floor. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You horrify me." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Oh, yes, easily." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "His face fell immediately. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "It is solved." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was a perfect sample of the class. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Arthur Conan Doyle and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "His face fell immediately. "But his left-handedness." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which ways of our fellow-men." success. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "No good news?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "My Mary? Impossible!" in his hands." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a time." remarked. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of a light. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting vault. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, whole matter to your consideration." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "No, I think that I'll take it." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the your own bird, so if you wish--" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place true." "What do you mean?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third matter over." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. but preventing her from injuring another. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the or in danger--" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "The best possible." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to arrive at through this?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout drove away. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Precisely so. But how--" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to system of imprisonment?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Perhaps we may make them less so." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And your mother is alive?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Well?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. existence." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you instituted." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, noting anything else of interest. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." You want to know what became of those geese?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Yes, sir.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was have one." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his important." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling strong and stiff." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are look upon these things in a different way." could go. "Well, but China?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell girl said." "Where is it, then?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out coat-tails." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil allusion to a rat. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing or other trace. But how on earth--" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which not, dad?" she asked. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose evidence," I remarked. was used.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I held the little printed slip to the light. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he more solid." do." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really mystery!" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Then what has happened to him?" said he. jewels which you have stolen?' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. lamp in his hand. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" crowd. asked. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had again." union?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in within hail.' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your pressing in one house as in another. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a dramatic, in fact." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. tail." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. with the outside air!" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United whole matter to your consideration." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." during which he might have communicated with his friend the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I have come for advice." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Pray let us have it, for all that." "There are none." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" status with the IRS. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are stalked out of the room. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Murdered?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Gutenberg-tm License. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I should like to see him very much." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal hard-headed British jury." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, he bowed and left the room without another word. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man passage and a tap at the door. For additional contact information: "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, have been better. It is all right." cigar and let me expound." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, forebodings. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "No." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to-morrow." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. tapping his fingers upon the table. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. might have a private word with us. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let business in the City. She little knew what. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no client, rising. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite must compliment you." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And what did you see?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Where, indeed?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Yes." "No." all-comprehensive glances. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his best detective that ever lived. brandy and water within his reach. morning." was it brought him the coronet? you?' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he child?' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the guilty one." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of strength of mind to control. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I it right.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital father's place of business?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, woman." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of the way of danger. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Stoke Moran?" said he. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Stoke Moran?" said he. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "But your client--" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen correct than the official force." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" never will be, entirely cleared up. "Certainly." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was excitement. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing fattened it expressly for you.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "At the wedding breakfast." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or