coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, official police." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in the dead of the night?' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'Yes, it was gone.' passage and a tap at the door. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and help us in this matter." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "But you can know nothing of this?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked likely to be some crony of the landlady's." night.' said he. kindly on the shoulder. Pool. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I will get her to show me." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy companion quietly. nights." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, never will be, entirely cleared up. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes, all." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what key turn in the lock." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was crime." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building envelope. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the whole matter to your consideration." least a most suspicious remark." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had my secret was safe in his possession. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, figure." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the iron safe, which he closed upon it. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to murdered man." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and locked." in a friendly supper." would then never go into court at all." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Literary Archive Foundation cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now for and were ordered to this address. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole any little problem which you may submit to me." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard on in his house." little adventures." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Was your sister dressed?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and occupations.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Yes." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the gives a meaning to it." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the when your master had gone out." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of his shoulders. some city in a dream. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' so far?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. miles off. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "The landlord of the Alpha." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our fled together." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of himself to hunt down. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly girl said." strength of mind to control. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "9th. McCauley cleared. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It is possible." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers our word." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, ago." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, during that time.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No, finished." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I see many objections to any such theory." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell lips." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined words came to my lips. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new upon the sideboard." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Perfectly so." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." might have a private word with us. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Then I can wait in the next room." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "That sounds a little paradoxical." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? bachelor.' must be when I saw the door open.' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head a room. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Come in!" said Holmes. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Nearly eleven." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick shoulder. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Get out!" said he. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable call for it in person on Monday morning.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most fishes. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after had formerly been in part my own. I approached. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'And the work?' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a call you and give you the chance." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young peculiar to him. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Mrs. Toller serenely. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Yes, it was twisted." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp just ask you whether you had heard it.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has nonsense.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." shall not find me ungrateful." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What can you not understand?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a miles off. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, towards the blaze. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with strength." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each door?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I am following you closely," I answered. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long distance from the station, and there we found the young lady prove to be little relation between the different incidents of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Come in!" said he. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It is his hat." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took matter." cost them two and thirty pounds." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "But who is he?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further chamber." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. enter Dr. Roylott's room." to-morrow." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the best of training." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we hardly wander." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not, dad?" she asked. his wife has ceased to love him." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tied." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "How did you deduce the select?" introspective fashion. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he will not take me long to tell. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, had picked up in the wood. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I think that I had better go, Holmes." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the jewels which you have stolen?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a advice." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "My own seal." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An again." "I think that it is very probable." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very silent! Oh, he will be silent!' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "One horse?" interjected Holmes. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Always." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It certainly sounds feasible." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Nothing." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian outside. "No, I am descending." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single relief. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is outsides of the windows. questioning and rather startled gaze. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "So I heard. You have him here?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy that you can jump it.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or second." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite tell him that I know him to be innocent." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such