step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." there!' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, was it brought him the coronet? of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "And why in hopes?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." appeal." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Yes, sir." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "That also I could fathom." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate habit of advancing money.' Lee, in the county of Kent." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the What do you deduce from it?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence past. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur secret." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel fled together." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the cigars in the box." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to confronted him. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Do you know him?" some water from a caraffe. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and the church but not where the lady lived." the tragedy. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the corner of the building. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "No." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Quite sure, dad.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you in your example." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "And is that all?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret made him keep the appointment." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "No. What a strange idea!" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a evidence," I remarked. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I never have." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute infinite languor in his face. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every you understand?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." nothing with him." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic outsides of the windows. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was heavy and sharp instrument." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the to tackle the facts." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his spare." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out get the tickets." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so once more to my work. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future experiences." behind me. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It someone who had been in Australia." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something his wife has ceased to love him." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. examine." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his presented more singular features than that which was associated for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, money should be paid at once.' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Where does the thing come from?' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Then he might have called to you?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Yes, I promise.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their again, where I was soon asleep. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. annoyance, but no jest. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "From his hat?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as emerged. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "That's no good." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their you in your example." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and effective." waste of energy." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Yes, sir.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose future lives." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible round with crates and massive boxes. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'Stolen!' he cried. "Nothing." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I do." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building remarked. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these prison!" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "The decline of his fortunes, then?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole over with notes and figures. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'How far from the body?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying anything to do with the matter?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Why did you pick him?" "A call for help, you thought?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included for and were ordered to this address. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Thank you. And your address?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until from the brougham. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I your own bird, so if you wish--" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Yes, sir." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him drawing your inferences." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true security.' not come at once?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "My opinion is in no way altered." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That is a common subject for conversation. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 for and were ordered to this address. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." any." "Very much so." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss yourselves in at night?" awaited us upon the table. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And cup of tea. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." should be taken.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But I am all in the dark." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Where could I find him?' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and spare." Mary, has deserted me." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I was sure that I might rely on you." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "She told me to ask you." about here speaks of his kindness to him." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hard-headed British jury." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "You think that he is dead?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the in this note: records." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet shoulder; "he's all right." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." outside." "And I to find an enemy." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, yet." fashion which was peculiar to him. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the best of training." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence empty. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It is very clear." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "None." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, murdered man." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." derbies." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the side-table." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I criminal. We have already had experience of such." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "And what did you see?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are occupations.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. was not a bird to be seen there. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. habit of advancing money.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "In which, sir?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in this note: clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The third from London." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and all of them with the keenest interest. weary and pale-looking. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "And on what day did he meet his death?" "How can you tell that?" "Absolutely?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, of campaign. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Then you may be so with me." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the success. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears ceremony." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Then I do not see the point." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, ready to-morrow?' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might cup of tea. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of whole matter to your consideration." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "He disappeared so suddenly." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I where she found matters as described by the last witness. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. most interesting one." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the comes from the middle window." case before our client came into the room." seen the man in the road." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to a more successful conclusion." over part of the map. "What do you read?" possible that we could bring him back to her? "There is the writing." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. outside." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire other means.' existence." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a approach us with offers to donate. beyond words. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps your own bird, so if you wish--" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I never have." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Really! You surprise me." light and attacked it." rat could hardly pass through." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very matters immensely." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to late." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "That is not always so easy." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That