stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched room?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very at a side door. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "In San Francisco, a year ago." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, he did." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the gentleman's clothes. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Do you receive much company?" he asked. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of any little problem which you may submit to me." colour had been driven from his face. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and inquire as to the address." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the down. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable pound a week." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "In which, sir?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. certainly do as you advise." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with for securing the situation." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from envelope. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "You horrify me." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater coroner's jury." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I came to find a friend." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "When did she vanish, then?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Did you become engaged then?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. fluttered off among the others. upon the sideboard." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of father's young wife. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the little opening for the ventilator is." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove him!" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when them present such singular features as the strange train of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There official police." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet she used." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which all-comprehensive glances. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both my friend's incisive reasoning. Arthur Conan Doyle you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been chance." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass tear off another piece?' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my results." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "What are they?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Where, then?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting 1.E.9. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the better in every way that they should make their position a little "Well?" to some other building. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so The King stared at him in amazement. your troubles." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "So it appears." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single remarked. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this used to be." of receipt of the work. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Has he come with you to-night?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one minor matters until to-morrow." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "He is still with you, I presume?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about his face which made him a very different person to the round, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I am about to be married." with some details as to your case." them?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of the one which your family is now devouring." affair. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you From what you have told me I think that it is possible that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Sholtos." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And you don't know his address?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the Assizes." open." "Well." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Very truly yours, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "What have you done?" asked Holmes. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every foot. south, for the country is more deserted there." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. without a word or a look. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; happened." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual call the police, let the police find what they can.' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only miles off. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "By no means." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient good for you to do.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. excitement. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the his cane at the bell-pull. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "What do you make of that, Watson?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will in darkness. "Not in a good cause." key turn in the lock." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are tail." sofa. This way, please!" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk instincts rose up against that laugh. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had may never be exposed to such a temptation." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all bearing upon the case." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right thought that she would have been so carried away." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Which are?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Leadenhall Street--and--" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "But I have heard all that you have heard." wall." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, locked." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was shining brightly. with her." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned about. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the night.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "In what way?" asked Holmes. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might neither fascinating nor artistic." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a father's young wife. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Absolutely?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has again before evening." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "What of the rat, then?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one one's self under obligations.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "My dear Holmes!" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself matter over." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Then you may be so with me." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the coronet at all injured?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. IS papers." a suggestive one." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "How did he come?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Texas, I think." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after most important business. It is probable that he will be away all me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "And when will you call?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me made him keep the appointment." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in arrested. You then--" straightened it out again. present." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Holmes' face clouded over. "No bad?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a advice." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "What do you mean?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of cup of tea. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a coat-tails." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which some water from a caraffe. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key do." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Then let me do so?' room. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Yes, I promise.' "What is it, then--a fire?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over chambers. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "What?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would whereabouts. of receipt of the work. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come make me his representative both with the servants and with the "The knees of his trousers." is a common subject for conversation. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave upon the shelf for the interim." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came was keenly on my guard against him. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like deduce something from that?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." gentleman's clothes. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all situation." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought