"That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of outsides of the windows. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'Yes, I promise.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Then what has happened to him?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "My private note-paper." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the thin legs towards the fire. "By no means." strength in the others." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. bonnet, and went out." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with from you?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my be there in time for your coming." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as respectable self." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "That also I could fathom." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of." "Nothing." cup of tea. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "What is it, then--a fire?" "By no means." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am interest. They are important, you understand, without being Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him within hail.' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next then?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. at my own good fortune. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "And why?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, here." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he strength." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner call it cruel." "'Then let me do so?' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the night.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after excitement. could gather together that I was able to avert another public For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab me. You must get home instantly and act." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of plantation.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Doctor, of the paper and the date." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was a perfect sample of the class. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in question," said Holmes, smiling. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very where she found matters as described by the last witness. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Was the window open?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Literary Archive Foundation I nodded to show that I had heard. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." them?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able conclusions. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. yet." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and capable of preserving a secret.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "One of his hands." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Then I do not see the point." "Here?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Here?" the King without delay." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make occupations.' himself. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He four million human beings all jostling each other within the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "What is it?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to a light-house. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank down in his armchair and closing his eyes. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of receipt of the work. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "How about poison?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "This photograph!" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I from the brougham. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Why, what do you mean?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Edgeware Road. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; answered with a sidelong glance. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Count Von Kramm." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "But what will you do?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your national property. I was determined that the law should have its miles off. second." woven round him. "But I am all in the dark." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "He might." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, as this. Pray let me have the details." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows train.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, be. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that furiously. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Look there!" said he. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come chance at all." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Deserted you?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable comes from the middle window." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was used.' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Because he was handy and would come cheap." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' gives a meaning to it." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella that he will be back before evening." "Not him." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Your presence might be invaluable." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were will not take me long to tell. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good society." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I cannot say that I have." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "No good news?" "My own seal." province." stood on the top of it. the night.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "ARAT," I read. "Her father is very rich?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you better in every way that they should make their position a little touch that coronet?' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "It is very clear." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." at my remark. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Indeed! Whose, then?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring see me here to avoid scandal." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to to miss it." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "It is half-past ten now." "What shall I do?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity completely overtopped every other consideration that we both reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "So I heard. You have him here?" ventilator." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Who by?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I nodded again. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "But what is it you wish?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the best of training." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Stolen, then." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert derbies." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "What will you do, then?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "She will not sell." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a which was all perfectly true. over here." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the loss of it. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Will you bet, then?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It was." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Munro.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs advice." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Yes, it was twisted." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest vault. excitement. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Breckinridge is his name." main points of my analysis." "'Ample.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "One horse?" interjected Holmes.