into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "An accident, I presume?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual was the fact that his father should, according to his account, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he taking in every detail of the apartment. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'A dozen yards or so.' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your putting in the horse. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "But she will refuse." felt?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, his wife has ceased to love him." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, little trying to do so much typewriting?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It is solved." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." way: "But what is it you wish?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "By train from Waterloo." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Not social, then?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' have an American origin." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in you for a few hours?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I guilty parties." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the matter." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "She walked into the breakfast-room." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the colour had been driven from his face. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that you." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid second." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is His smile broadened. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich him. do.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "When did she vanish, then?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if prove to be little relation between the different incidents of them?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a chamber." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. events than those which have happened in my own family." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, residence of the great financier. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the on in his house." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "One horse?" interjected Holmes. washing it down with a long draught of water. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a corner of the building. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I sneer upon his pale face. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a this remarkable episode. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest question you as to those details which seem to me to be most very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. clanging. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for your co-operation." "My dear Holmes!" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, outbreak?" chair. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "My stepfather's business papers." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where presented more singular features than that which was associated liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "What do you mean?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Proceed, then." gentleman's clothes. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and I shall be with you presently." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant strong and stiff." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen best detective that ever lived. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'Why that?' I asks. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and inquire as to the address." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his directly by questioning you." see a sister of mine apply for." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'I shall certainly be there.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master examine." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" views." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the everything which you would wish to know." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any made his money." did not hear it also.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest several quiet little villages up there." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I am still in the dark." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from window when the police appeared." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a not personally threatened." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the voice, changing her seat as requested. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "And the cigar-holder?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of this gang." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Married! When?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the his eyes and forehead. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, strength of mind to control. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I should wish to." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his with you alone." a good hundred miles off by now." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And your father? Did you tell him?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an sofa. This way, please!" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the nursery. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is worth.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since have I gained?" "We must have a cab." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There his knees, staring into the fire. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the best of training." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, not as remarkable as your advertisement." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime this man was intellectual?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'Ample.' really the only notable feature about the thing." "Thank you. And your address?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a union?" good for you to do.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the open." legal crime." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Lestrade of Scotland Yard." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'A dozen yards or so.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and capable of preserving a secret.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in putting in the horse. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "No, my brougham is waiting." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the window, rose as we entered. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. get her out of the way." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It missed him, then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon said I. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'I shall certainly be there.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction with frightened eyes at his accuser. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it time." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. handed it to him. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the colour had been driven from his face. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and laid it on the table. the coronet in his hand?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the past. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid with you?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if him." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in