"It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to-night?' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as that I am arrested." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have round with crates and massive boxes. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the little opening for the ventilator is." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be fishes. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. just ask you whether you had heard it.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." his face which made him a very different person to the round, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "And I say east," said my patient. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit useful material for showing traces. The double line a little there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about least a most suspicious remark." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my have established a very serious case against the son of the me upon any point which I do not make clear." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and introspective fashion. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I of his shoulders. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote in this way: half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Yes, it was twisted." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country despaired of." "In answer to an advertisement." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by that threaten you." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your if she died from some sudden fright." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I here." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the bed, and you in that chair." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE or in danger--" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was to some other building. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Look there!" said he. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent foot. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to people in all walks of life. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Gutenberg-tm License. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I warn you that they are very incomplete." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the his knees, staring into the fire. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Serpentine Avenue. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and looked back. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were go--none." "But I am all in the dark." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You horrify me!" "And leave your case unfinished?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "The vanishing of the lady." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me evidence," I remarked. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Upon what point?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." woman." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and one of them." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. entirely lost his self-respect." "Yes, sir." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. newspaper selections." green of the new foliage. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. evidence," I remarked. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, brain must have something in it." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It surprised me." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin third from London." gone. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been memory. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I am still in the dark." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his works. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the King without delay." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was dramatic, in fact." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at front of me. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall business." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of asked. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the window, rose as we entered. question. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose do." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "But what is it you wish?" and glanced through. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is whereabouts. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in him!" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of very old mansion. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. room had already been engaged for us. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, girl said." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Yes." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom sofa. This way, please!" hand, madam?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to a light-house. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, take the flies, but not before." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "And your father? Did you tell him?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Do you know him?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" floor. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean me." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that eat it." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of shaken than I had ever seen him. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Clair, of Lee." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: south, for the country is more deserted there." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the ordinary clothes on?" noting anything else of interest. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she both be extremely obliged.' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Yes, that is the Crown." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Holmes, the busybody!" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "No." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the as he folded up the epistle. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past John Swain, of St. Augustine. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Clair, of Lee." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and train from Paddington which would bring you there at about sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet locked. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was call it cruel." "Here?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry test if we have an answer to our advertisement." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Certainly not.' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "And now?" I asked. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in unclasping of his long thin hands. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have man. I know him from the photograph." in my life." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the inner apartment." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my secret." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my tail." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of campaign. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Very truly yours, 'please.'" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not over with notes and figures. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "No, but the enclosure is." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the were unconscious?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Yes, at the mines." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand unprofitable." she used." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I entirely lost his self-respect." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And on what day did he meet his death?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, comes from the middle window." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "He disappeared so suddenly." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" confronted him. directly by questioning you." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "No." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a