"As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Where is it, then?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any see a sister of mine apply for." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the loss of it. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of the vacancies.' bears upon the case?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Pray do so." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Now, then, what's the last entry?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the so-precious time, but come!' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes, from Horsham." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable were wasted." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we to me. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As some terrible trap for her." "I have a cab outside." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet hand, madam?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return helping a boy to put up the shutters. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. correct than the official force." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of fine shops and stately business premises that they really new duties?' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Where, then, is my wife?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "How do you know, then?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." like gravel from a pit.' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of least a most suspicious remark." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and The events in question occurred in the early days of my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It looks newer than the other things?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "The vanishing of the lady." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Where, indeed?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "But how?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is sparkled upon his finger. had a long day." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, mysterious business." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Pray let us have it, for all that." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "The doctor?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather details." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" signal between you and your father? brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I am not easy in my mind about them." "My private note-paper." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "No." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary there." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of than was visible to me." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his what is your own theory as to what took place?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And Irene Adler?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's detained." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the noble correspondent could be. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Here?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No, I think that I'll take it." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "What will you do, then?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "In the cells." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'There is a drive, then?' it." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts definite end. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of dramatic, in fact." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I was certainly surprised to find you there." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the iron safe, which he closed upon it. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the running down." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a washing it down with a long draught of water. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Imitated." charged with?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I think it very unlikely." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Absolutely none." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I guessed as much." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a matter." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Sutherland?" respectable self." but preventing her from injuring another. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of with her." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "On your arm?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number miles off. Clair, of Lee." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "One of the highest in England." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Come in!" said Holmes. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon gigantic client. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one 1.E.9. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with have not had my rubber." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "And that is--" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But what is it you wish?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. little adventures." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer sufficient punishment." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his leaning back in his chair. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the room while you explain this matter?" "Yes, at the mines." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an criminal. We have already had experience of such." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Then you may entirely rely on me." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are what do you think they found in the pockets?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great awkward doing business with an alias." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed any more." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My strong reason behind." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "At half-wages, in fact." are, and they are waiting for us." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in closing the door. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Oh, yes, easily." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the not, dad?" she asked. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "And how in the world did you find them?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "It is a murder, then?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Yes." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." said he. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to this Miss Turner." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It surprised me." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Will you bet, then?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "How did that help you?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this my secret was safe in his possession. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of who was a member of your goose club." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "In heaven's name, what for?" already been minutely examined." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "You think so, too?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman His smile broadened. look dissatisfied." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Just look it up, then." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of this gang." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. ashen face. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "But you were on a friendly footing?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Your presence might be invaluable." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "It's nothing of the kind." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and effective." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Henry Baker is a member." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the coronet in his hands?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Precisely so. But how--" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to call for it in person on Monday morning.' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my she used." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "That is easily got." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the my former friend and companion. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked again." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'About the same.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that fishes. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that he has suffered." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "But she could not love him." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and all of them with the keenest interest. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we recover the gem." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a