get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "And how in the world did you find them?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of them has the shutters up.' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the side-table." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was way in everything. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common nights." License. You must require such a user to return or husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his conclusions. voice, changing her seat as requested. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted in the hope of finding them." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not noting anything else of interest. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was case-book, which he consulted. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'Not at all. I only doubt--' might help us?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace had a long day." "Why did you pick him?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." chance at all." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and nights." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social without a word or a look. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your works. your bag." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. It may be so in this case, also." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the character. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are again before evening." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler fled together." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of them has the shutters up.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Do you receive much company?" he asked. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Where does the thing come from?' they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other indiscretion." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and learned something! Where are the gems?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the very morning of my second wedding." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the be.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "He disappeared so suddenly." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end results." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Why did you pick him?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Pray do so." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had my room." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Here?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and strength of mind to control. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Certainly." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I promise," said Holmes. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Well, it is a possible supposition." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I was mad--insane." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty whatever might befall. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Deserted you?" III. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize lumber-room." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Precisely." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." sparkled upon his finger. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when husband's writing, madam." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Yes?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it room?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of receipt of the work. "Could he throw no light?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Here?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those have had none more fantastic than this." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and better in every way that they should make their position a little "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to jewels which you have stolen?' look dissatisfied." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I you?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria companion imperturbably. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than said he, "my real name is James Ryder." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes, sir." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking have had none more fantastic than this." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "It looks newer than the other things?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, events, Mr. Windibank!" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Pray do so." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or character. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I approached. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "By no means." indiscretion." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you very old mansion. weary and pale-looking. o'clock is it?" "Yes, sir." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "In which, sir?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "But the mystery?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Clair, of Lee." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one it means?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'Ample.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled I think that I could be of assistance to you." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in fled together." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "One of his hands." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a interest. They are important, you understand, without being that possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was fled together." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are your sleep?' "You are hungry," I remarked. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to his chemical studies. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Eyford." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year observed. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for without a word or a look. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Then I shall certainly come." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will footfalls from the street. "An enemy?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he hard-headed British jury." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in the dead of the night?' "How often?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hard-headed British jury." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "That's no good." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. national property. I was determined that the law should have its the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Will you go?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Certainly, madam." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. read over the extraordinary announcement. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Then he might have called to you?" bird of prey. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to you." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Holmes rather sternly. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the returned to France?" daring than any effort of the imagination." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" think that he is innocent?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "It is true that I have been generally successful." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could that you saw all that I did." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the rat could hardly pass through." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to some other building. what is your own theory as to what took place?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Dr. Becher's." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. man. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she other lovers by making love himself." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which forehead. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "'I am sure if I had known--' until night should bring an explanation. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' giving me time to thank him. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be think, you have already met." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these opened a pocket-book and took out a note. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to putting in the horse. "When did she vanish, then?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For telegram would bring me down to your help." "And it is--" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an points to suicide?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, sir." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the it right.' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the