"She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, be there in time for your coming." "If so, much may have happened between." and effective." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove occurred." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as this. Pray let me have the details." "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Stolen." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. said he at last. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should his eyes and forehead. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And sit in the dark?" "It was an hour's good drive." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was families. Now for the facts. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I am armed." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the window, rose as we entered. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you do it in twenty minutes!' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear key turn in the lock." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw British peeress.'" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a business in the City. She little knew what. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You forget that I know nothing about it." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to other means.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, better in every way that they should make their position a little of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have accepted such a situation. what I may call a really hard day's work." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If memory. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and your relations to her." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that carried out of court." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and becomes even more simple." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the is," said he presently: younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the vanished into the darkness. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, upon a handsome competence. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, as this. Pray let me have the details." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper train.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left formed some opinion?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Quite so. She has her freedom." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Pray continue your narrative." congenial hunt. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my trifles." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Miss Holder?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' You want to know what became of those geese?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler you." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a behind me. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of this man was intellectual?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if strong and stiff." girl said." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. vault. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Have you her photograph?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the together. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It is very kind of you." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for not come at once?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I promise," said Holmes. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His cup of tea. "On your arm?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and within hail.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with locked. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought galvanised. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Not particularly." the warnings." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I cannot as yet see any connection." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to him to go away.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Not him." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I say that I have solved it." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come noting anything else of interest. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the placed his cuttings. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And I say east," said my patient. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I cannot imagine." you." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar during the last few years, and there are many noble families to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Very well, sir. And this stone?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the your room." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Of what?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure experiences." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'You cannot say what it was?' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so not fit the lock." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. crowd. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, that, and I came down." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that young Openshaw's." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the even of instruction." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 me what he had done with the three missing stones. one which it was hard to resist. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'I am sure if I had known--' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of situation." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and seem to you to be relevant or not." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "But what is it you wish?" cheerful." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this which we had just quitted. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it plantation.' must compliment you." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of would apply.' papers on the sundial.'" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. hour." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock not come at once?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Nothing." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies daring than any effort of the imagination." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you distinguish the words: "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "How did you trace it, then?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before the coroner and the police-court." back into the street. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged prepare for the new role I have to play." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. way in everything. "I was afraid that you were engaged." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Well." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You think so, too?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Ten will be early enough." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "What!" he roared. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son been with you?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little you in your example." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Imitated." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and no precautions can guard against." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "None." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I approached. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had there!' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his crowd. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. beg that you will break it off." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." a good hundred miles off by now." way in everything. hurried away. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Is purely nominal.' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think followed. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "None." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What!" he roared. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic coroner's jury." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed bird I ate is country bred." fled together." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, of them has the shutters up.' "I cannot imagine." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall horse could go." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Farm upon the left." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into passage and a tap at the door. "Where did you address your letters, then?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who fact, we may call it conclusive." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than photograph?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing