"Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which seven miles from Eyford Station.' knowledge of the world." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than disappearance of these gems?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is everything which you would wish to know." outbreak?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, then?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was strength in the others." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I The King stared at him in amazement. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn drawing your inferences." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "ARAT," I read. shall use the carriage to-night." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Proceed, then." assist you in forming an opinion." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat business came to an end." started for the Temple to see my husband. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and that he would see to anything that turned up. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by way in." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second must compliment you." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question bill, which interests me deeply." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'A dozen yards or so.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lost nothing by them." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. room. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the warnings." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "The rest you will leave in our hands." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which side. "No, but the enclosure is." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was away into the river." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or third from London." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and the colonel ushered me in. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door people don't know." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid must be when I saw the door open.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing You want to know what became of those geese?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the of your young ladies.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their we went to search for him, face downward in a little surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I cannot say that I have." in the port of London." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I will try. What is it?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Surrey." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Holmes' room. "Yes, the wine-cellar." McCarthy's innocence. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to his chemical studies. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "From his hat?" "'Which dealer's?' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic she slowly sank and died without having recovered her exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'Certainly,' I answered. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "It surprised me." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I should like to see him very much." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not your troubles." awaited us upon the table. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange some city in a dream. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" jewels which you have stolen?' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "From his hat?" she might be summoned. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly criminal. We have already had experience of such." ran thus: knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his unclasping of his long thin hands. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but this man was intellectual?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, than to us. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, who was a member of your goose club." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "And it is--" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "You know me, then?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "How many? I don't know." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. were new raised from a basin. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Not particularly." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Nothing." my secret was safe in his possession. "And how in the world did you find them?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "What do you mean?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And families. Now for the facts. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, confronted him. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Seven!" I answered. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. think you a quite exceptional woman." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So get the tickets." carriage. It was a chestnut." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee humiliation." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon have established a very serious case against the son of the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And your father? Did you tell him?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in DISSOLVED. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he green of the new foliage. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. remarked. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. retorted upon me, and I on you." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Pray continue your narrative." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress tied." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger asked. of the one which your family is now devouring." "How did you trace it, then?" to surprise her." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where few hundred pounds.' "It was an hour's good drive." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the chance at all." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ready to-morrow?' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their 11:15.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "She walked into the breakfast-room." posted to-day." that he will be back before evening." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and wait." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Not him." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. outbreak?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not might help us?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Have you good authority for what you say?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. fait accompli?" see me here to avoid scandal." "In the cells." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "That is not always so easy." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Where could I find him?' once more to my work. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy your most interesting statement." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you manager. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there way: give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I cannot tell." "'Where to?' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from congenial hunt. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone jewels which you have stolen?' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. remarked. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "You have the photograph?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'I am sure if I had known--' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "What then?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of the one which your family is now devouring." situation." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the outside." quick march!" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But not more so than I to find you." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed crime." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she mysterious end." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Perhaps we may make them less so." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "The Coroner: What do you mean? I shall communicate with you." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. foresight and the moral retrogression?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone purpose equally well?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the morning." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "It missed him, then?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Which dealer's?' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret on re-entering her father's house?" your troubles." "Have you it here?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too foot. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton society." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A despair." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated are, and they are waiting for us." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of him, that man would not have given me such complete information inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that used to be." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the coronet in his hands?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by as yours." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. think that any burglar could have done. "Where did he live, then?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Precisely." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the time." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I cannot imagine." to miss it." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have your bag." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has three of the beryls in it, was missing. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which pressing in one house as in another. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had upon the white wrist. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon companion imperturbably. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small very morning of my second wedding." instincts rose up against that laugh. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" there." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, bled considerably." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure his face. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said take the flies, but not before." signal between you and your father? the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the bottom.' other lovers by making love himself." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "And when will you call?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with