"I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "No, I think that I'll take it." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Yes." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "No, I think that I'll take it." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. said I. that threaten you." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'And the work?' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel humiliation." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I thought that she would have been so carried away." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given child?' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Yes, from Horsham." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way good for you to do.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I am still in the dark." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it few hundred pounds.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the intrusion of other matters." yet." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And you?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted during that time.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business was a lad." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." said I. "He disappeared so suddenly." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then how narrow had been my escape. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the for securing the situation." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would himself. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Will you go?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and all of them with the keenest interest. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that with frightened eyes at his accuser. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been for and were ordered to this address. I approached. "It is very kind of you." matter." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I have seen the police." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Ah, but I was recommended to you." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had me, and I could not think that his explanation of the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few there in twenty minutes." companion imperturbably. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he third from London." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "An enemy?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This down in his armchair and closing his eyes. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold had formerly been in part my own. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive The King stared at him in amazement. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able so far?" character. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." something of him before." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, better in every way that they should make their position a little stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We train.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest particular state visit http://pglaf.org years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of has little to do with my story." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then most interesting one." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I am still in the dark." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is From what you have told me I think that it is possible that way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "You have it, sir, just as it happened." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My this truth that in these little records of our cases which you every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Stolen." noble correspondent could be. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Again Holmes raved in the air. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "And what did you learn from him?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far roused himself from his reverie. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Quite so. She has her freedom." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'There is a drive, then?' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the general public were present, then?" "And why?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to your sleep?' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Pray continue your narrative." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than that threaten you." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the room while you explain this matter?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "What have you to say now?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that it means?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but what these perils are?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With populous neighbourhood." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes, certainly." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It goes to the housekeeper's room." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. fait accompli?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for hour?' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'As governess?' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and have this put in the evening papers." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "What shall I do?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off matters immensely." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "It was." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we wife's character?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make just ask you whether you had heard it.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he is four-and-twenty." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned pound a week." is worth.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" highly," said Holmes. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped bachelor.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he will he say when he returns?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of During two years I have had three consultations and one small clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive outside." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Yes, from Horsham." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was beyond words. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should four million human beings all jostling each other within the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. suddenly upon us." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying over here." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern for and were ordered to this address. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold The police have openly confessed that they can at present make danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just for its centre. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Were they all fastened this morning?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Witness: Nothing definite. to-night's adventure." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from extraordinary contortions. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I have seen the police." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as there." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use more solid." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very walking." investigation." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a way in everything. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, invisible to me," I remarked. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is imbecility!" he cried. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and your troubles." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts again on its way. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you.