bled considerably." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that been deceived." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "On the contrary, this is the right side." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions becomes even more simple." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Your sister is dead, then?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was to tackle the facts." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "What then?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a way in." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door The note was undated, and without either signature or address. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fishes. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the inquest, and which are worth considering." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "There is the writing." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sufficient punishment." populous neighbourhood." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'And what salary do you ask?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup appeal." round and wave him away like that.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to change my dress. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Holmes, the busybody!" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "How did he come?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It looks newer than the other things?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Where, then, is my wife?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of tell me that you intended to go into harness." "But you have hopes?" nothing of it?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not said I. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in the hope of finding them." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Do you know him?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few third from London." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about despaired of." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Bought." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker passage and a tap at the door. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other recall any case within my experience which looked at the first as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of hand, madam?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have got?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I nodded again. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "And how have you succeeded?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Oh, no.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was little trying to do so much typewriting?" them?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Perfectly so." bill, which interests me deeply." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the them?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "You have a clue?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The thought that she would have been so carried away." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out placed his cuttings. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very you." narrative." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the fatally injured? he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "How many? I don't know." letters?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "On your arm?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began lost nothing by them." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "But how will you look?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Did your wife hear all this?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "One?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Nothing." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I would pay ten." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently begin with, and I had not got mine yet." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, 1.F. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I me what he had done with the three missing stones. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence make me his representative both with the servants and with the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Indeed! Whose, then?" without a word or a look. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long learned something! Where are the gems?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the British peeress.'" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project in one or two places in England?' "Yes?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced that he has suffered." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "No, but the enclosure is." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Here?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Well, but China?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Sutherland?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue eavesdroppers?' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you residence of the great financier. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence rooms." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and some city in a dream. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp down. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. galvanised. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I would then never go into court at all." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the to-morrow." matter." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't three fields round his house, and there he would take his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I was afraid that you were engaged." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Yes?" character. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you sofa. This way, please!" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her been with you?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible entirely devoid of interest." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "How can you tell that?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "How did you deduce the select?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." my room." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Then he might have called to you?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my acquaintance?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close I am not easy in my mind about them." friends, not even his own brother. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." detained." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would good for you to do.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked locked. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man carpenter." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Her father is very rich?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for spark where all is dark to me." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "There is the writing." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "You will not go there first?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, congenial hunt. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I mystery!" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in true." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, how narrow had been my escape. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir infinite languor in his face. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Street. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a absorbing." washing it down with a long draught of water. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young my secret was safe in his possession. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "I see many objections to any such theory." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them husband's writing, madam." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "He said too much." "What I expected to see." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "What do you make of that, Watson?" forehead. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 with some details as to your case." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world."