asked. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Because he was handy and would come cheap." individual and becomes the badge of a society." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a him." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and inquire as to the address." "To ruin me." "I say it is." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand time." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there wife's character?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up deduce something from that?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Literary Archive Foundation Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" was not a bird to be seen there. quite distinctive." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which three fields round his house, and there he would take his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "It is very kind of you." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we works. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the bird I ate is country bred." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me train from Paddington which would bring you there at about to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in public press." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" upon the white wrist. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, gone. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Really! You surprise me." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "The vanishing of the lady." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fear." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'Yes, sir.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Yes. He waved his hands." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Yes." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself chill to my heart. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "None." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "I will get her to show me." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a this poor creature." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, in darkness. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "When did it break out?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is should be taken.' woman." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a awaited us upon the table. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and of his shoulders. your billet.' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, status with the IRS. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his me upon any point which I do not make clear." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular despaired of." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to it means?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "So I have heard." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of people don't know." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds subject to the trademark license, especially commercial row." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other do.' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Look there!" said he. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who me. "None." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at I. "Precisely." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Well?" for and were ordered to this address. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Breckinridge is his name." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched tied." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking http://www.gutenberg.net "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the warnings." there has been an enclosure here!" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of Fenchurch Street." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a room. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "One of the highest in England." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'As governess?' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I cannot as yet see any connection." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no very old mansion. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. following enigmatical notices: room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Get out!" said he. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I will do it." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he colonel looking down at me. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "BALLARAT." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And you can do nothing until then?" promised to bring home. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his details." "Frequently." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. of Mr. Rucastle's." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "What, then, did Peterson do?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." interested in these little problems, and since you are good to have that photograph." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that there was nothing in it, after all." third from London." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he visitors." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of you for a few hours?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from into her hand at the door and which lured her within their is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon salesman. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "No." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well upon the shelf for the interim." "How can you tell that?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a your only hope of safety." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple main points of my analysis." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and put his glass in his pocket. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but you, my dear young lady?' the tragedy. "Pray do so." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I am sure." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I have seen the police." such person." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the question," said Holmes, smiling. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And how did he make his money?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were useful material for showing traces. The double line a little France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "To ruin me." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was keenly on my guard against him. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I promise," said Holmes. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the only touch the interest." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than frequently gained my first real insight into the character of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you father's young wife. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their only touch the interest." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated relation between them, and what the object of his repeated struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus during that time.' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "My dear Holmes!" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the him and tried to hold him back. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I saw her in conversation with her maid." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled secret." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I am still in the dark." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. appeared upon the scene." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and this man was intellectual?" key turn in the lock." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I don't say that. Perhaps." carpenter." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens