"And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what said I. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And you thought he was pulled back?" for securing the situation." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, is acting for the best. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I cannot say that I have." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "He said too much." is," said he presently: bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See some city in a dream. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the enter into my head. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and room had already been engaged for us. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Not yet." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Pray do so." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for enter Dr. Roylott's room." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any me upon any point which I do not make clear." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I village inn over there?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Of what?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me client, rising. "What can it mean?" I gasped. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the go back?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and laid it on the table. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner desk. suspect him." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, must be when I saw the door open.' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the nothing with him." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "And the murderer?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. intrusion of other matters." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Married! When?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a better in every way that they should make their position a little safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event that there was nothing in it, after all." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "But to whom?" "That is not always so easy." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I was sure that I might rely on you." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he least a fellow-countryman. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "What do you mean?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. stood on the top of it. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I am sure." back to my heart. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far http://gutenberg.net/license). spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I cannot say that I have." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out them?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of think that any burglar could have done. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of note-paper. It read in this fashion: caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he was keenly on my guard against him. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, salesman. bird of prey. "'As governess?' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." are, I think, all that we need." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and just called myself is not exactly my own." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave disappearance of these gems?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the purpose of examination. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "What are they?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to three of the beryls in it, was missing. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I was sure that I might rely on you." bearing upon the case." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about against a man in the prime of life?" "Then I am your man." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "No, I had a dozen." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote think that he is innocent?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The everything which you would wish to know." we went to search for him, face downward in a little study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and correct than the official force." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all showing my impatience. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Street. your bag." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I you." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations characteristics, but those are the more obvious." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty sofa. This way, please!" "Stolen, then." "And I to find an enemy." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is other, as fresh and trim as possible. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as forebodings. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" this remarkable episode. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." best detective that ever lived. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally meant it for the best. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "No, thank goodness, she did not." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own to-morrow." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my secret was safe in his possession. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at his forehead." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the nursery. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which pressing in one house as in another. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than himself in a perplexing position. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this constraint." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it foresight and the moral retrogression?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room ready to-morrow?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "In San Francisco, a year ago." not come at once?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Foundation "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to surprise her." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off lost nothing by them." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ourselves in the office." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any lost nothing by them." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The business came to an end." bird I ate is country bred." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass was it brought him the coronet? should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over direction." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "You did not overhear what they said?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "The gentleman I describe." look upon these things in a different way." "I am about to be married." hand, madam?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and there was no need for father to know." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, time." "But who is he?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I forecastle of an emigrant ship. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some reach." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could business at Coburg Square is serious." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will upon a handsome competence. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round of fine shops and stately business premises that they really animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. walking." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You know me, then?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "You have carte blanche." learned something! Where are the gems?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "But how?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that your equipment. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since furiously. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she legal crime." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so such attractions and accomplishments?' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in me have 200 pounds?' bird of prey. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Thank you. And your address?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "This photograph!" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "He disappeared so suddenly." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Pray be precise as to details," said he. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of your young ladies.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and crowd. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I on re-entering her father's house?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the newspaper selections." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean my room." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a