then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past house for five minutes.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I will, Miss Turner." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire and laid it on the table. helping a boy to put up the shutters. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no retorted upon me, and I on you." round and wave him away like that.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Which dealer's?' was a perfect sample of the class. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Is he quiet?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I dead, shall be safe with us." if I call to-morrow?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who than to us. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Is 4 pounds a week.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one sufficient punishment." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the matter." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by room had already been engaged for us. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "No." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "In answer to an advertisement." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks felt the room to be a little close.' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this one's self under obligations.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who figure." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'And the work?' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from paper in the air. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been ceremony." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with notes," he said. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You will not go there first?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Could he throw no light?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to with the outside air!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months not use it unless it is absolutely needed." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Never.' have been better. It is all right." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will very old mansion. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the her also." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "That is unusual in a young girl." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I have my revolver," said I. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their what I may call a really hard day's work." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert to-morrow." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to security.' during that time.' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of a light. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Does that suggest anything?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. she might be summoned. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is national property. I was determined that the law should have its the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been drove away. horse could go." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser it were putty." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to her also." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Entirely." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all handed it to him. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left to-night." carriage. It was a chestnut." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Imitated." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a call the police, let the police find what they can.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Which are?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'You cannot say what it was?' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Upon what point?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have not had my rubber." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me said I. "That was it, sir." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the three fields round his house, and there he would take his upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had chair. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer colour had been driven from his face. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should conclusions. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Does that suggest anything?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a front of me. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "So I heard. You have him here?" "But you have hopes?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Was he the only applicant?" "Certainly." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "So I heard. You have him here?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Look there!" said he. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'A dozen yards or so.' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the chamber." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'What then?' I asked. signal between you and your father? would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "That was it, sir." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent was a lad." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a constraint." nothing of it?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "How often?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the direction." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Come in!" said he. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Nothing." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in persecution?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, detective. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the date of his supposed suicide." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, them?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I drawing your inferences." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Oh, yes, easily." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, touch that coronet?' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from assist you in forming an opinion." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I assure you that I am in your hands." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed power." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important your Highness to the police-station?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Because he was handy and would come cheap." You want to know what became of those geese?" "I am in hopes that she does." your own bird, so if you wish--" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'Yes, I promise.' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" http://www.gutenberg.net now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. washing it down with a long draught of water. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fatally injured? on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was a lad." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: who was a member of your goose club." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I don't believe it." outside." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. secret." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing rooms." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And is that all?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the ceiling. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'There is a drive, then?' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first man. I know him from the photograph." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Stoke Moran." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it train.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "An enemy?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its official police." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel rooms." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no which are rolled in Rotterdam." to talk it over. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to through." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I see many objections to any such theory." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part mystery!" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" true." "Not in the least." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': chance." jewels which you have stolen?' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it relation between them, and what the object of his repeated hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you