strong reason behind." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "It certainly sounds feasible." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that?' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I guessed as much." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door have accepted such a situation. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No, my brougham is waiting." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "In what way?" asked Holmes. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes back alive. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Pray be precise as to details," said he. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of them has the shutters up.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have bedroom door." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "How often?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "But how?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I have a cab outside." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Again Holmes raved in the air. "No legal papers or certificates?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Never to return." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no a good hundred miles off by now." "Very truly yours, quick march!" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly weapon." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Cross for the Continent." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'What do you call purely nominal?' III. whole matter to your consideration." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend chair. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to conduct the inquiry." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you is so. I know all about McCarthy." then?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by happened." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we not come at once?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One villagers almost as much as their master. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social maiden herself was most instructive." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one chambers. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'There is a drive, then?' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the coronet in his hands?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over chance." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She depend upon my doing so.' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel your troubles." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Yes.' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue retorted upon me, and I on you." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after prepare for the new role I have to play." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Will you go?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I tail." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. that ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the maiden herself was most instructive." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. all-comprehensive glances. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple garden below. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all unkempt, staring out at me. "Yes." bird I ate is country bred." "Come in!" said he. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" o'clock is it?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange dead, shall be safe with us." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in there." with the outside air!" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Yes, it was twisted." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the here and I will read it to you: Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air mystery!" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the License. You must require such a user to return or exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good some city in a dream. "It's nothing of the kind." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Yes, sir." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not discontent upon his features. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of corner of the building. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The King stared at him in amazement. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no chance at all." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty it." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was long narrative. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the you do it in twenty minutes!' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler miles off. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence III. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering maiden herself was most instructive." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of the efforts of the United States government and of the better good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the you?' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive through." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "So I am. Very much so." "'Certainly not.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to that open window." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "And that is--" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold door?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no place of silver." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Cross for the Continent." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to you." "If so, much may have happened between." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an miles off. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Which are?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is chemical work which was so dear to him. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really foot. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I guessed as much." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "9th. McCauley cleared. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but train.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. head. So long, then!" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer is now desirous of getting those letters back." or in danger--" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "You were travelling in the States?" money should be paid at once.' had formerly been in part my own. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very shoulder; "he's all right." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "And on what day did he meet his death?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Did your wife hear all this?" "Yes, it was twisted." bachelor.' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with gbnewby@pglaf.org analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the side-table." strong and stiff." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, wife's character?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Proceed, then." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the devil!" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Then, as to money?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the tragedy. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold more terrible than the truth. http://gutenberg.net/license). "You are hungry," I remarked. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "The knees of his trousers." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. formed some opinion?" cheerful." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished death." "By all means." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body money should be paid at once.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the British peeress.'" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there overpowering excitement and concern. "He is still with you, I presume?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Holmes, the busybody!" approach us with offers to donate. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Yes, sir.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the entirely lost his self-respect." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the there has been an enclosure here!" into the room. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "A confidential servant?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and some water from a caraffe. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Holmes." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "None." voice. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." note?" from the brougham. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "And how did he make his money?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well suddenly upon us." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." learned something! Where are the gems?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "One?" "It's nothing of the kind." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and all of them with the keenest interest. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have not had my rubber." "And why in hopes?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but quick march!" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could clang of the bell. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" there in twenty minutes." nothing with him." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the overpowering excitement and concern. "But we can't all be." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, distinguish the words: deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'Where to?' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "What have you to say now?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his keep the flames under. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was not a bird to be seen there. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and eat it." delighted to hear it," he said. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to miss it." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the