which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the used to be." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off careless servant girl?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would wedding?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. ashen face. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" there is a decided draught." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream your bag." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" room?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that that respectable self." "But she will refuse." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the you in your example." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' been with you?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon future lives." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Most admirably.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Have you good authority for what you say?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, strength of mind to control. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that perplexity from it to my illustrious client. late!' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to or other trace. But how on earth--" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. was a loud and authoritative tap. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. eavesdroppers?' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a locked." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel again before evening." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of dates and names. these bleak autumnal evenings." experiences." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "How can you tell that?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed carried out of court." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong My friend smiled. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know their singular warning or token before them when starting upon that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my name is different." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in drawing your inferences." "Dirty?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "This concluded the examination of the witness." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the armchair which I pushed forward for him. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who or in danger--" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the success. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Witness: I must still refuse. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. as he remarks, very much against the son." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Dirty?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the people don't know." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing least a fellow-countryman. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Very much so." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little had a long day." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, shall use the carriage to-night." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about my secret was safe in his possession. over here." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I cannot tell." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress guilty one." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of never came back." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "And how did he make his money?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I cannot tell." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I cannot imagine." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her was the fact that his father should, according to his account, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with heavy and sharp instrument." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "And how did he make his money?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the coronet in his hands?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the breakfast?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Pray do so." fluttered off among the others. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I cannot imagine." whereabouts. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and I shall be with you presently." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. directors, with the result that you have seen." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Entirely." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Yes." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your his face. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down might have a private word with us. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I was sure that I might rely on you." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "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 Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be amused." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'Yes, sir.' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No, my brougham is waiting." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), anything to do with the matter?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how photograph?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed heavy and sharp instrument." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "The King of Scandinavia." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the thought that she would have been so carried away." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and arrested. You then--" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for some city in a dream. the Red-headed League." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out one or two very singular points about this room. For example, washing it down with a long draught of water. more terrible than the truth. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are read over the extraordinary announcement. skylight. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was detective. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had what do you think they found in the pockets?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your floor. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked breakfast." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I heavy and sharp instrument." again, where I was soon asleep. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the matter." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I rat could hardly pass through." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat companion quietly. "And you thought he was pulled back?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, your own bird, so if you wish--" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "It surprised me." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It is a murder, then?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend own family. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "And leave your case unfinished?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Mrs. Toller serenely. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid such attractions and accomplishments?' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, vault. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that will take you up to see the machine.' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' for and were ordered to this address. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw of it with the greatest attention. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And now?" He raised his hand. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't 1.E.9. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Why serious?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been in my life." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got public press." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of in my life." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. may never be exposed to such a temptation." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I have a cab outside." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into empty. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a extraordinary contortions. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend awkward doing business with an alias." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of