"'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear distinguish the words: to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the with you?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "It is half-past ten now." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Not particularly." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last place of silver." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to where he stood hid behind the curtain. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from empty. something of him before." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to future lives." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "But how will you look?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his married her." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. new duties?' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "To an English lawyer named Norton." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets tension within him. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband appeal." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after will he say when he returns?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, meant it for the best. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But what harm can there be in that?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square in his power. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she mystery!" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box night.' said he. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of she might be summoned. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'In my own bureau.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Yes, I promise.' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and laid it on the table. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms second." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, delighted to hear it," he said. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country jewels which you have stolen?' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you crackling voice. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "From his hat?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the 1.F. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Not social, then?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips I leave." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself late!' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt be there in time for your coming." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I here and I will read it to you: cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "No, but the enclosure is." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional upon an income of about 60 pounds." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Murdered?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this window when the police appeared." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of she might be summoned. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to closing the door. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on one else, I think." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Come in!" said he. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing been lifted and conveyed somewhere." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them was a lad." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Dirty?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I cannot tell." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'I shall certainly be there.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Her father is very rich?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to writer." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's meant it for the best. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I don't believe it." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the ceiling. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Absolutely?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "But of what society?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir questionable one." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were definite end. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and developed." case-book, which he consulted. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to his chemical studies. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he you came in." your equipment. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Your sister is dead, then?" "Yes." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea remarked. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking within hail.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how From what you have told me I think that it is possible that zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "What! Had he lost his wife?" my secret was safe in his possession. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." shoulder. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Surrey." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "If so, much may have happened between." lost his Christmas dinner." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Your presence might be invaluable." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." morning." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then what has happened to him?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate away to you." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I cannot imagine." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but one of the states of the Union." better grown goose." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first said he. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes. He waved his hands." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the little opening for the ventilator is." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have copied or distributed: had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and it need not interfere very much with one's other the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "No." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and the colonel ushered me in. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining you." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Were they all fastened this morning?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "VIOLET HUNTER." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its confronted him. him." one of the states of the Union." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "We must sit without light. He would see it through the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Your sister is dead, then?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "That is possible." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I evidence," I remarked. to talk it over. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Certainly." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and been with you?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the whatever might befall. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See prepare for the new role I have to play." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a see me here to avoid scandal." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible jewels which you have stolen?' south, for the country is more deserted there." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime what these perils are?" article?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which daring than any effort of the imagination." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his lumber-room." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "And that is--" time." business came to an end." detective. "Then, how do you know?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever friend's singular character. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just least a fellow-countryman. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and the colonel ushered me in. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might His smile broadened. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "And did you observe any change in her then?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Entirely." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing foresight and the moral retrogression?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of it with the greatest attention. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set delirious. away to you." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been green of the new foliage. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Yesterday." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my special province." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Your sister is dead, then?" "It is his hat." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather