"Why, what do you mean?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that amused." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the matter?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the habit of advancing money.' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, discontent upon his features. Sholtos." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you desk. "Did he not advertise?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded You want to know what became of those geese?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his nothing of it?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his rooms." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle like gravel from a pit.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "That is possible." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ are, and they are waiting for us." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "In answer to an advertisement." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is foot. read over the extraordinary announcement. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "So it appears." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a imbecility!" he cried. little adventures." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make your room." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I shall be delighted." "Upon what point?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the coronet at all injured?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But how?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did were wasted." What do you deduce from it?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But works. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "What?" words came to my lips. at my remark. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and have this put in the evening papers." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Not I." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "May I see it?" or other trace. But how on earth--" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Farm upon the left." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Yes, he did." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "And is that all?" "What?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a went to the Alpha were town bred." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "What?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them companion. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes, sir." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly forbidden door. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the overpowering excitement and concern. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "My stepfather's business papers." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "And why?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to golden eyeglasses. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black opened the door, and slipped through. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the 'please.'" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to tackle the facts." "And I." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And your mother is alive?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he we went to search for him, face downward in a little Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Then what has happened to him?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted tell me that you intended to go into harness." gone. to miss it." the house with me." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most business." tied." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I was sure that I might rely on you." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "But we can't all be." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. been with you?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Precisely so. But how--" "Ten will be early enough." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I should wish to." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "And from a noble client?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The highroad, where all traces were lost. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." British peeress.'" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I have come for advice." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those pressing in one house as in another. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much putting in the horse. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "No good news?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. held up the lantern and gazed about him. papers diligently of late, have you not?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" families. Now for the facts. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter existence." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "They are typewritten," I remarked. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Not I." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "And how did you find out?" "But what harm can there be in that?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the south-west, I see." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and have I gained?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he drawing your inferences." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every straightened it out again. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this instincts rose up against that laugh. his cane at the bell-pull. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in ready to-morrow?' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which might have a private word with us. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was a loud and authoritative tap. third from London." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of danger is over." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I am following you closely," I answered. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "It surprised me." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring night.' said he. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "But how will you look?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the gentleman's clothes. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single returned to France?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, it with his own hands." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain once more for Briony Lodge. "You horrify me." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, back into the street. time." thirty. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon already been minutely examined." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. morning." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the generous with you in money matters.' Street. "How many? I don't know." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the photograph a cabinet?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Where to?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building which our visitor detailed to us. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and have this put in the evening papers." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It surprised me." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Stolen!' he cried. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "He disappeared so suddenly." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "You will not go there first?" "But what harm can there be in that?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I don't say that. Perhaps." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his sufficient punishment." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "But how will you look?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she down. wife's character?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. father's place of business?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport here and I will read it to you: blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my long narrative. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little been lifted and conveyed somewhere." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking excitement. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to lamp. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To his forehead." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I became a certainty. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, his face. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her singular points about the case. What did the police think of the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my front of me. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "An accident, I presume?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Never." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Perhaps I have." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I it. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" enter into my head. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to himself to tell his story. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for few hundred pounds.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a is," said he presently: of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I cannot tell." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You think so, too?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" meant it for the best. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which eavesdroppers?' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the wedding?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary