wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our that I can to serve you." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other matter over." annoyance, but no jest. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "What, then?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And leave your case unfinished?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Literary Archive Foundation smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean business at Coburg Square is serious." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It was an hour's good drive." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "In the cells." details." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the more solid." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his about. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread present." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'Yes, sir.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card late!' compunction about shooting them down." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a business matters.' points to suicide?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and fattened it expressly for you.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, affair. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "9th. McCauley cleared. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself brain must have something in it." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'Quite sure, dad.' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less But Holmes shook his head gravely. depend upon your compliance." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if conduct the inquiry." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Yes." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum of Fenchurch Street." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. asked with his eyes open. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the some city in a dream. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer had formerly been in part my own. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "It is a murder, then?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Dr. Gregory B. Newby rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to when your master had gone out." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "But what is it you wish?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to tell." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the bottom.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "What! a murderous attack?" quick march!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was he. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." lost his Christmas dinner." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not The events in question occurred in the early days of my "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears villagers almost as much as their master. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Well, some hundreds of times." "To the police?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I have a cab outside." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further in one or two places in England?' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late sake, don't!" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He said I. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. in his power. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And how did you find out?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, residence of the great financier. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My so far?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather you." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known at my own good fortune. already referred to. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had made his money." asked. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "But how did you gain them?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Stoke Moran?" said he. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short clang of the bell. tapping his fingers upon the table. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," visitors." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling certainly not very gracious." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "No. What a strange idea!" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "What then?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "The King of Scandinavia." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And what then?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "It surprised me." main points of my analysis." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Why did you beat the pavement?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." may never be exposed to such a temptation." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "A greater distance to travel." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'Certainly,' I answered. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Where, indeed?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with as this. Pray let me have the details." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a back to my heart. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly sneer upon his pale face. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with cigars in their mouths. "It is half-past ten now." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that were unconscious?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "On your arm?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend unprecedented a position." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You have carte blanche." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, matter over." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can questionable one." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The events in question occurred in the early days of my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it man. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief to affect your life." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for from the brougham. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I have seen the police." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for you give your casting vote to?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Yes?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "There is the writing." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had second." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes, I have one waiting." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was would then never go into court at all." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me went to the Alpha were town bred." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which go--none." you understand?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And I say east," said my patient. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were had this final quarrel? natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said hard-headed British jury." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me appointment with me for six o'clock?" your bag." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in will he say when he returns?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been upon an income of about 60 pounds." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." some terrible trap for her." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "You have the photograph?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "A confidential servant?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "My opinion is in no way altered." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a trying to your nerves." "And for present expenses?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend furiously. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in shall not find me ungrateful." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is derbies." people in all walks of life. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is more solid." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are could gather together that I was able to avert another public betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." floor. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the indiscretion." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some whereabouts. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real it? Did I buy the geese off you?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "That is not always so easy." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your entirely lost his self-respect." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "To ruin me." Pope's Court. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters legal crime." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into undoubtedly my uncle's." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful you." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, it." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "None." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Yes." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "We were both in the photograph." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Pope's Court. must be when I saw the door open.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not presume?" stalked out of the room. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able closely." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend