the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. imbecility!" he cried. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing cause to be." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so garden below. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the weapon." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You don't mind breaking the law?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Nothing?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! second window is the one that I jumped from." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "You think so, too?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only go from here to the Strand." I took the paper from him and read as follows: the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted events than those which have happened in my own family." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" is a common subject for conversation. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of jewels which you have stolen?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Yes." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do future lives." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "That also I could fathom." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the shaken than I had ever seen him. "I was afraid that you were engaged." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones may have an influence upon European history." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very to take care of herself." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips disappearance of the bride.'" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "That's no good." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to change my dress. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and in a very precise fashion." the very morning of the wedding." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Then I shall certainly come." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in His smile broadened. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Entirely." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "And what did you learn from him?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The touch that coronet?' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of them has the shutters up.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had him to go away.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a against a man in the prime of life?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to have that photograph." "I will not look." "I should like to see him very much." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him wife's character?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." his knees, staring into the fire. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his legal crime." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on horse could go." meant it for the best. do.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Holmes' room. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Mary, has deserted me." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by disturbance in my wife." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the general public were present, then?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "But I am all in the dark." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Was the window open?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Game for a morning drive?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, indeed which he could not unravel. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Witness: I must still refuse. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "So I am. Very much so." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and your relations to her." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "He disappeared so suddenly." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man heavy and sharp instrument." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "How do you know, then?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a leave you to your papers for a little." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Precisely so. But how--" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That other means.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I came to find a friend." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn husband's writing, madam." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the you came in." main points of my analysis." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Pool. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady official police." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his directors, with the result that you have seen." "No, I had a dozen." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been is entirely a question of barometric pressure." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the coronet in his hand?" that threaten you." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "But to whom?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." there." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing said he at last. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Sholtos." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal prove to be little relation between the different incidents of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "That you are never beaten." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "No." people in all walks of life. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual crime." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been an introduction to him?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his possible that we could bring him back to her? and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story I nodded to show that I had heard. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" presume?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have gives a meaning to it." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the inquest, and which are worth considering." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has me upon any point which I do not make clear." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. hard-headed British jury." "To an English lawyer named Norton." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was a lad." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and straighten it?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the was not a bird to be seen there. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, would then never go into court at all." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. interest. They are important, you understand, without being inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. bill, which interests me deeply." forbidden door. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical particular state visit http://pglaf.org happened." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father bears upon the case?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the despaired of." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "What do you make of that, Watson?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as these bleak autumnal evenings." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See strong reason behind." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Henry Baker is a member." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And how?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood problems help me to do so."