and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "So I have heard." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I beg pardon." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the had a long day." key of the affair now." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hardly wander." memory. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I girl said." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You chill to my heart. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "But how will you look?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had dates and names. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I had this final quarrel? has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Henry Baker is a member." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save something of him before." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and the church but not where the lady lived." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he what these perils are?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in have an American origin." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It is no ordinary one." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had me. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, had a long day." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Watson," he said cordially. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Eh? What was that?" "'And what salary do you ask?' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "It is very clear." gone before you can get him to hospital." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which I could not give. He asked for Alice. row." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of an introduction to him?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And I say east," said my patient. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' on re-entering her father's house?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, over with notes and figures. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her he died? "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" girl said." "Which are?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the astonishment. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My affair. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, fasten all the windows?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked several quiet little villages up there." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his straightened it out again. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of walking." window when the police appeared." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as it. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "No, I had a dozen." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "But how will you look?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. there has been an enclosure here!" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of the way of danger. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stalked out of the room. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, could gather together that I was able to avert another public unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the writer." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no conceal it?" into the bag, and made for the door. "But you can know nothing of this?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one if I call to-morrow?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Certainly." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which you?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will himself in a perplexing position. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in outsides of the windows. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat congratulate you again." speckled band?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Pray be precise as to details," said he. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "If so, much may have happened between." "Stolen, then." suspect him." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "No, I am descending." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of thin legs towards the fire. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "No?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." window when the police appeared." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he interested in these little problems, and since you are good breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing said he, "my real name is James Ryder." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sneer upon his pale face. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family my little problems." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young note?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Serpentine Avenue. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of them has the shutters up.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position imbecility!" he cried. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove lamp in his hand. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Will you bet, then?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "And your mother is alive?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door looking up at the numbers of the houses." your bag." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Quite so. She has her freedom." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I have my revolver," said I. "It is no ordinary one." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this taking in every detail of the apartment. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'And what salary do you ask?' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. weighed down with some great anxiety. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. are, and they are waiting for us." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a mystery." "But you were on a friendly footing?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him lost his Christmas dinner." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the best of training." "No." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Nothing?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the iron safe, which he closed upon it. kindly on the shoulder. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner extraordinary contortions. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Your French gold?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had picked up in the wood. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused pound a week." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. outbreak?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman have an American origin." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. long narrative. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I fear not." "You have the photograph?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to affect your life." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The knees of his trousers." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed down. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that golden eyeglasses. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case should be so warm over such a trifle." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Very truly yours, "And your father? Did you tell him?" unclasping of his long thin hands. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more a suggestive one." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made late." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally other means.' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "No, I am descending." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies at a side door. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are him nearly every evening." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I guessed as much." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had begin with, and I had not got mine yet." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, made him keep the appointment." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal this remarkable episode. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every