professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Not in a good cause." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe quite distinctive." "I will get her to show me." his wife has ceased to love him." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of campaign. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the never came back." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It is very clear." "I think that it is very probable." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and awaited us upon the table. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'It is locked up,' I answered. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to you." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project someone who had been in Australia." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire interests were the same as his." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No." experiences." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "What I expected to see." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Yes.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "If I can be of use." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business only touch the interest." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the client, rising. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Certainly not.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I cannot imagine." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus that, and I came down." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first sufficient punishment." "Yes." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Were they all fastened this morning?" "None." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'Yes, it was gone.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "The gentleman I describe." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "And sit in the dark?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. a very grave face. of it with the greatest attention. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close delighted to hear it," he said. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. jewels which you have stolen?' parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is out of this horrible affair." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it triumphant cloud from his cigarette. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I forbidden door. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to that open window." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "But his left-handedness." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then, how do you know?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. one else, I think." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "My opinion is in no way altered." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "In which, sir?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "No." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that recall any case within my experience which looked at the first was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend said I. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "And it is--" depend upon my doing so.' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "In answer to an advertisement." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland with you alone." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and get the tickets." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Chief Executive and Director I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman my secret was safe in his possession. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' galvanised. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so this truth that in these little records of our cases which you you understand?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, bird I ate is country bred." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I should be immensely obliged to you." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is good for you to do.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was matter." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong business in the City. She little knew what. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What I expected to see." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the room had already been engaged for us. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "And what did you see?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he where we are going." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry stalked out of the room. again before evening." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and chemical work which was so dear to him. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'And what salary do you ask?' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." mystery!" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "And it is--" written. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from official police." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab them?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Yes, only one." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he think that he is innocent?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the throat." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. train.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "An accident, I presume?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Witness: Nothing definite. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do her also." following enigmatical notices: in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, results." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "His face fell immediately. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen breakfast?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "It missed him, then?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," of receipt of the work. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, death." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "He said too much." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "She will not sell." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." amused." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "You have compromised yourself seriously." "How did that help you?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Mary, has deserted me." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the morning and make my own way in the world.' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this desk. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our followed. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I it with his own hands." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage points to suicide?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but absolutely follow my advice in every respect." peculiar to him. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing arrangements." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the warnings." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. suspect him." himself to hunt down. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "He might." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be searched, without anything being found which could incriminate devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been to have that photograph." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You are all wrong." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears it right.' other means.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in drove away. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Come in!" said he. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Witness: It was. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they other means.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Mary, has deserted me." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I whatever might befall. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Stoke Moran." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This points to suicide?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own eat it." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight straightened it out again. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A already been minutely examined." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough than was visible to me." with you alone." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "A confidential servant?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but