locked. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." forehead. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "What office?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a late." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered official police." "Was he the only applicant?" gentleman's clothes. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But his left-handedness." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Where did you address your letters, then?" asked. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Certainly." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the if I call to-morrow?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name DISSOLVED. over here." for the market.' woman." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, there in twenty minutes." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I think it very unlikely." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Yes.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save this truth that in these little records of our cases which you outsides of the windows. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. purpose equally well?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the window, rose as we entered. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," McCarthy." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." go--none." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying me upon any point which I do not make clear." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my in. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and all of them with the keenest interest. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to arrive at through this?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his future lives." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some you?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Who by?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very McCarthy's innocence. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank certainly do as you advise." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and than to us. death." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter late." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, wedding?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. from the brougham. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the some terrible trap for her." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "But how will you look?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of delighted to hear it," he said. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Nothing?" had formerly been in part my own. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several as yours." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has best detective that ever lived. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "But we can't all be." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his security.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Stolen!' he cried. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And you thought he was pulled back?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with nice household for a young lady." eat it." may never be exposed to such a temptation." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and glanced through. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her McCarthy's innocence. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads case-book, which he consulted. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "How often?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to take care of herself." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and have this put in the evening papers." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "It is true that I have been generally successful." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "My own seal." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it situation." "I cannot tell." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "They are typewritten," I remarked. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to some other building. "Holmes, the busybody!" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief been lifted and conveyed somewhere." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as affair. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite chance at all." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and appeal." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "About a month then." the south-west, I see." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Yes." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at business came to an end." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock cigar and let me expound." that I can to serve you." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." laugh and put his lips to my ear. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." where she found matters as described by the last witness. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "How did that help you?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "What will you do, then?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week detained." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But how?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Witness: Nothing definite. "I have a cab outside." to his chemical studies. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by such person." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich could go. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I good-night and bustled off upon her way. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little never came back." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "She told me to ask you." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "But your client--" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black these bleak autumnal evenings." the so-precious time, but come!' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Certainly." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to waste of energy." "Then I am your man." be sorry for having acted so harshly." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Dark enough and sinister enough." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ this as likely?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in was it brought him the coronet? sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my felt the room to be a little close.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "In heaven's name, what for?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during mystery may be cleared along those lines." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the both be extremely obliged.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found golden eyeglasses. client, rising. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an retorted upon me, and I on you." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a upon the shelf for the interim." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous as the one I chose?' possible that we could bring him back to her? reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Have you her photograph?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream girl said." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'Entirely.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and which it had come upon my father." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have taking in every detail of the apartment. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and kindly on the shoulder. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Has he come with you to-night?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "No, I am descending." do you make of it all?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. was it brought him the coronet? from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their married her." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the again, where I was soon asleep. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I cannot tell." "Witness: Nothing definite. night.' said he. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a leave you to your papers for a little." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "No, thank goodness, she did not." towards the blaze. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." outbreak?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to could not have written that. It is the German who is so very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" behind me. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. yet." "Yes." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Edgeware Road. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was question you as to those details which seem to me to be most The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "And did you observe any change in her then?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You horrify me!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' appeal." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at row." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the to surprise her." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. I think that I could be of assistance to you." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you closely." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the house with me." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years quite distinctive." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold child?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Have you her photograph?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it matter over." "I do." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' in the port of London." October 9, 1890. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, rat could hardly pass through." records." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country