the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that chemical work which was so dear to him. burst out into a roar of laughter. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Nothing?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yes." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to success. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching think that any burglar could have done. think that he is innocent?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And why?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New your billet.' the bottom.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, some water from a caraffe. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Get out!" said he. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "The vanishing of the lady." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to mysterious end." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until she used." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Were they all fastened this morning?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and help us in this matter." tell them apart.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. grasp, he hurried from the room. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, distinguish the words: breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "That also I could fathom." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, photograph?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "But what will you do?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see closely." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited over here." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Yes, only one." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'You doubt its value?' he asked. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. situation." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that redistribution. the warnings." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Not him." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "At half-wages, in fact." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the you do it in twenty minutes!' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had desk. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried shall not find me ungrateful." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." society." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I say it is." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by here." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his His name is Francis Prosper." leave you to your papers for a little." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Yes, sir.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a of." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Nothing?" ashen face. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "No." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life an introduction to him?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hour." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Not yet." asked. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fled together." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the them?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And I say east," said my patient. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should place no limit on the sum I may draw." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." nights." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Your presence might be invaluable." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'What then?' I asked. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Well, some hundreds of times." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I am following you closely," I answered. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "And now?" I asked. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and files of the old papers, following the future career of every place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the inquest, and which are worth considering." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." brandy and water within his reach. "How did that help you?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'You cannot say what it was?' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a such attractions and accomplishments?' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And help." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, What do you deduce from it?" hour?' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "How on earth--" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "It was." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you was a lad." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. this as likely?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was could gather together that I was able to avert another public to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "She walked into the breakfast-room." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Dr. Becher's." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time out." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." becomes even more simple." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and your equipment. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a six. Come in!" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic out." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "No, I am descending." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look burst into a hearty fit of laughter. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." I am not easy in my mind about them." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Absolutely none." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "And you can do nothing until then?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "It certainly sounds feasible." not as remarkable as your advertisement." it." to-night." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small been shamefully used." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes, sir." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "And Irene Adler?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his words came to my lips. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his bird of prey. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and have this put in the evening papers." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which strong and stiff." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Where is it, then?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting it." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our a room. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop my secret was safe in his possession. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be II. "My private note-paper." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "How did that help you?" these bleak autumnal evenings." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." generous with you in money matters.' dramatic, in fact." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your was a lad." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he all that?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Ten will be early enough." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Yes, it would be as well." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and whole matter to your consideration." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Chief Executive and Director past. mystery may be cleared along those lines." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Bought." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some do.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in whatever might befall. Surrey." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you fact, we may call it conclusive." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so of." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'I am sure that I do not know.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. one which it was hard to resist. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining jewels which you have stolen?' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Then let me do so?' "Very much so." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it undoubtedly my uncle's." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You know me, then?" Clair, of Lee." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "So I heard. You have him here?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be already been minutely examined." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Oh, yes, easily." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And how did you verify them?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, copied or distributed: round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, evidence," I remarked. posted to-day." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Very much so." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him notes," he said. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly