"Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked easy-going way." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "A call for help, you thought?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have not had my rubber." "That sounds a little paradoxical." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'What, the red-headed man?' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Of what day?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled already been minutely examined." "And from a noble client?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. for the market.' washing it down with a long draught of water. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'I have already given you my word.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand was once confined in the cab my mission was practically asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the me. You must get home instantly and act." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in him to be an active member of the medical profession." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were at my remark. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It's nothing of the kind." best detective that ever lived. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon hands. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's foot. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in one or two places in England?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as wedding?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Will you bet, then?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece prepare for the new role I have to play." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." better grown goose." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely disappearance of these gems?" furiously. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I will, Miss Turner." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Come in!" said he. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he light and attacked it." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can lectures into a series of tales." "Upon what point?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your up this clue while it is still hot." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. arrangements." occupations.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that have had none more fantastic than this." to tell." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly was lame." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes' thin, eager face. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "One horse?" interjected Holmes. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes, but only for you and me." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps into the bag, and made for the door. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so questionable one." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing you for a few hours?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and you in your example." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced matter." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and carried out of court." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "No, I am descending." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in enter into my head. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and chill to my heart. "You have a clue?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Not I." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Precisely." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the Friday. Was it to be in church?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Stoke Moran." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a ventilator." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn have I gained?" business at Coburg Square is serious." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Then you may be so with me." papers diligently of late, have you not?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, his forehead." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." occupations.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. attention." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." have an American origin." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am place of silver." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the side-table." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the child." that?' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the would then never go into court at all." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may skylight. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a how narrow had been my escape. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." all?" colonel looking down at me. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I know where it is." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in you in your example." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a good-night and bustled off upon her way. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case whatever might befall. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Upon what point?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself quick march!" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Then I do not see the point." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly signal between you and your father? trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such clanging. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'As governess?' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, are windows in it, of course?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "The rest you will leave in our hands." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "How often?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "And is that all?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was is four-and-twenty." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, congratulate you again." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Yes. He waved his hands." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "What I expected to see." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it straightened it out again. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I was sure that I might rely on you." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Why, what do you mean?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking better grown goose." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to-night?' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of What do you deduce from it?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the writers could invent nothing more crude." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you was a loud and authoritative tap. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, matter over." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Yes, he did." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Sutherland?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Because he was handy and would come cheap." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "To an English lawyer named Norton." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Street. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and imbecility!" he cried. "Only as much as we can deduce." business at Coburg Square is serious." burst out into a roar of laughter. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the pictures, libraries, or plate. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "What do you make of that, Watson?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. pictures, libraries, or plate. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Then I shall certainly come." it. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'What then?' I asked. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? eavesdroppers?' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And I." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Look there!" said he. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the himself. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I will do it." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in voice. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous this remarkable episode. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just ran thus: so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Clair, of Lee." tightly behind him. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their swore that no one else had been in the front room during the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and more solid." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." until night should bring an explanation. in my life." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "What can it mean?" I gasped. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That attention." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "None." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the situation." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I experiences." walking." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the walking." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Foundation as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a be there in time for your coming." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a