attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" assist you in forming an opinion." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the stable lane now." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to name is different." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I assure you that I am in your hands." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Heh?' will not take me long to tell. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of his shoulders. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Never,' said I. "And is that all?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. approach us with offers to donate. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "The Coroner: What do you mean? "What shall I do?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had several quiet little villages up there." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my and have this put in the evening papers." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between she might be summoned. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "She will not sell." away into the river." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been bedroom door." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I head. So long, then!" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "How often?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate keep the flames under. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are union?" a monotonous occupation." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Edgeware Road. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to your equipment. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I am armed." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he room. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, success. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' sound at heart." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to some other building. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "That was it, sir." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "At half-wages, in fact." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "You saw the ventilator, too?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed your most interesting statement." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then I do not see the point." Foundation "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fait accompli?" to that open window." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about one of the states of the Union." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of a monotonous occupation." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And why in hopes?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." stalked out of the room. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window acted in my house last night?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some it means?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless lips." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "By no means." "You think so, too?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and the whole place is in a blaze." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with who was a member of your goose club." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "In which, sir?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood throat." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." papers diligently of late, have you not?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "None." direction." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'What, the red-headed man?' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "So it appears." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always ventilator." "How did you trace it, then?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Seven!" I answered. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and John Swain, of St. Augustine. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well friends, not even his own brother. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies companion imperturbably. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, conceal it?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? indeed which he could not unravel. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel garden below. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "That you are never beaten." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that I am not easy in my mind about them." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Where is it, then?" "What do you mean?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I see many objections to any such theory." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and I shall be with you presently." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did The summons was a brief and urgent one. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, fluttered off among the others. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Where to?" the running down." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dates and names. "By all means." chance at all." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "That also I could fathom." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety call you and give you the chance." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband page at http://pglaf.org you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and hopeless attempt at recovering them." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. one of the states of the Union." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "And from a noble client?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign troubles have been weighing upon his mind. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of corner of the building. during which he might have communicated with his friend the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door must compliment you." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a is so. I know all about McCarthy." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either definite end. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Seven!" I answered. in darkness. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the matter." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew His smile broadened. "It is no ordinary one." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of enter into my head. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'What, the red-headed man?' against a man in the prime of life?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There details." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Ample.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Does that suggest anything?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "But your client--" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible allusion to a rat. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It's nothing of the kind." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'There is a drive, then?' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' trifles." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary asked with his eyes open. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Won't it ring?" are, I think, all that we need." meant." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his plantation.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment your troubles." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' enter into my head. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Breckinridge is his name." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting joking. It may be so in this case, also." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Where does the thing come from?' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "But it has twice been burgled." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 until night should bring an explanation. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining miles off. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in his grey eyes. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his huge brown hands. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. derbies." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I have solved it." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the outbreak?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "But I am all in the dark." "'Yes.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She them present such singular features as the strange train of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Yes, that is the Crown." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it awkward doing business with an alias." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that he has suffered." Stoke Moran." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from McCarthy's innocence. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Whose house is it?" "Precisely." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we kind enough to tell me what I should do." keep the flames under. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of