"It is to him that this trophy belongs." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant colour had been driven from his face. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a cup of tea. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "By no means." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Thank you. And your address?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "But of what society?" possible that we could bring him back to her? closely." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Precisely." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man she might be summoned. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Certainly." Surrey." "Pray do so." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Munro.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included is so. I know all about McCarthy." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I am about to be married." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an posted to-day." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Yes, sir.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But she could not love him." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in hands. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Pray continue your narrative." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I shall be delighted." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood from the brougham. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Come in!" said Holmes. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit certainly do as you advise." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I have my revolver," said I. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will into the bag, and made for the door. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I acquaintance?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "May I see it?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of not as remarkable as your advertisement." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, there!' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He that you wished to speak to me?' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched congenial hunt. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Texas, I think." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second made his money." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "And your mother is alive?" think that he is innocent?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. think you a quite exceptional woman." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers residence of the great financier. "Thank you. And your address?" "I will, Miss Turner." see a sister of mine apply for." nights." footfalls from the street. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon trying to your nerves." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." business matters.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'And the work?' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Eh? What was that?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "VIOLET HUNTER." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You horrify me." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But we can't all be." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, reach." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend them, and came down just as you departed. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any your sleep?' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Dirty?" "From his hat?" lips." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter straighten it?" to change my dress. assist you in forming an opinion." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer hand, madam?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "An accident, I presume?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal indeed which he could not unravel. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" so.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over waste of energy." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Only as much as we can deduce." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "None." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated husband's writing, madam." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back that I am arrested." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." was used.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to them?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But what is it you wish?" "I fear not." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me returning from some small jollification and was making his way "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a there is a decided draught." "Seven!" I answered. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "In what way?" asked Holmes. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." not personally threatened." friends, not even his own brother. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the King without delay." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to some other building. bird of prey. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not in the port of London." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and wait." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Holmes' thin, eager face. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, nothing with him." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yes, he did." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. derbies." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" chance at all." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Yes.' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily not fit the lock." "Has he come with you to-night?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was down from London to inquire more deeply into it." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both have been better. It is all right." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "That is easily got." letters?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But his lameness?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were three fields round his house, and there he would take his the running down." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become For additional contact information: she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's have not had my rubber." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I have come for advice." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "How often?" with you?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned himself. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so this unhappy family?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons look upon these things in a different way." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I cannot say that I have." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the acted in my house last night?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'How far from the body?' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Do you go out much in society?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you him. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But we can't all be." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hopeless attempt at recovering them." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do already referred to. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "So I heard. You have him here?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. bare slabs of marble. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built so.' "The knees of his trousers." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "He might." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I quite distinctive." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Bought." "Could he throw no light?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in breakfast." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of throat." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of and the church but not where the lady lived." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to existence." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Of what?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, already referred to. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between your only hope of safety." could go. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the meant it for the best. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry outbreak?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Come in!" said Holmes. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the you came in." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, reach." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly there when the Rucastles went away." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Was he the only applicant?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I if only as a check to my own memory." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, residence of the great financier. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Oh, yes, easily." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy key of the affair now." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he