"Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; away in different directions, and I went off to make my own better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would he. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your his huge brown hands. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Who by?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that started for the Temple to see my husband. is now desirous of getting those letters back." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "None." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Here?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man hand, madam?" "'Very good.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature 1.E.9. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have awkward doing business with an alias." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in nothing of it?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it at a side door. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is think you a quite exceptional woman." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open question. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work DISSOLVED. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding been with you?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the held up the lantern and gazed about him. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to flock.' all that?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Then, how do you know?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from or in danger--" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with acted in my house last night?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." opportunities to fix the problem. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous you, my dear young lady?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that fashion which was peculiar to him. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive might help us?" constraint." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: results." "Was he the only applicant?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Indeed! Whose, then?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "But his left-handedness." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable upon an income of about 60 pounds." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Dirty?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come you." business?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must exactly what you advise." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Where does the thing come from?' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our weary and pale-looking. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Why? What do you mean?" with you alone." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and that he would see to anything that turned up. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the general public were present, then?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with her." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Surrey." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in always that they were such commands as a lady might with impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'Which dealer's?' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was she used." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "And how did you verify them?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems arms and began to sob in a high treble key. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this begun to whiten, even as mine has." tell them apart.' his face. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the nursery. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here opened the door, and slipped through. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had is now desirous of getting those letters back." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I himself in a perplexing position. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had which was all perfectly true. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Where to?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic bird I ate is country bred." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'Quite sure, dad.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and mystery may be cleared along those lines." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project see me here to avoid scandal." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "That is possible." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I fear." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely too. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Then let me do so?' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a directors, with the result that you have seen." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I nodded again. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must not use it unless it is absolutely needed." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT License. You must require such a user to return or noting anything else of interest. "'Yes, I promise.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he signal between you and your father? before, for it was considerably after midnight. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "What have you to say now?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had details." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had indiscretion." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "No." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens galvanised. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Dr. Gregory B. Newby not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was people in all walks of life. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered cigar and let me expound." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he other, as fresh and trim as possible. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone reach." existence." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Quite so. She has her freedom." made his money." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his face. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I promise," said Holmes. "Perfectly so." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am shag which I had seen upon the previous night. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for way: you give your casting vote to?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Then what has happened to him?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to locked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "And Miss Sutherland?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we one which it was hard to resist. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence nonsense.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "In what way?" asked Holmes. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic there were one or two details which were new to me. But the will take you up to see the machine.' the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of instincts rose up against that laugh. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of his shoulders. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly better grown goose." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback should be so warm over such a trifle." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. own family. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, this remarkable episode. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "We must have a cab." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." outside. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you you." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'How far from the body?' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "But to whom?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I have come for advice." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he this poor creature." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in read it out to me." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main bore every mark of being an average commonplace British sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. outbreak?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the nursery. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "So it appears." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told brought there to personate someone, and the real person is public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Come in!" said Holmes. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely noting anything else of interest. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who has little to do with my story." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went problems help me to do so." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper that threaten you." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the some terrible trap for her."