particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Perhaps we may make them less so." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and unkempt, staring out at me. "'There is a drive, then?' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer morning." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back society." leaning back in his chair. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Sutherland?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or details should find their way into the papers. Inspector reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to a more successful conclusion." "And Miss Sutherland?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "But who is he?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a evidence," I remarked. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced already been minutely examined." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry be best to do. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Stoke Moran." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten interests were the same as his." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Farm upon the left." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the tightly behind him. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is your own bird, so if you wish--" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "It is solved." new duties?' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming friend's singular character. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be crackling voice. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then nonsense.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "But who is he?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with morning." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his other means.' "Yes. He waved his hands." had this final quarrel? This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all occupations.' "Entirely." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "But how will you look?" friend's singular character. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions for and were ordered to this address. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. relief. "Was he the only applicant?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Eyford." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised touch that coronet?' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "None." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire which it had come upon my father." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and sound at heart." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "And why?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he friends, not even his own brother. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "What then?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. outside." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, followed. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Then what has happened to him?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between suddenly upon us." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: companion. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally suggested at once that there must be a communication between the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Of what day?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "He is dead," cried several voices. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds photograph a cabinet?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, meant it for the best. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Lee, in the county of Kent." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in the dead of the night?' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, to take care of herself." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "But to whom?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Yes, it was gone.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." will not take me long to tell. all-comprehensive glances. speckled band?" open." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing them?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he tension within him. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. standing smiling on the door-step. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to-night." the dangers which encompass me." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Why? What do you mean?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." at a side door. out of this horrible affair." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." certainly not very gracious." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I cannot imagine." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three could not have written that. It is the German who is so What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "So it appears." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "10th. John Swain cleared. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Yes. He waved his hands." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, out of this horrible affair." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a salesman. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what key turn in the lock." "Certainly." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Oh, no.' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, manager. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a chair. secret." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me at my own good fortune. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him wedding?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side conceal it?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and said he at last. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Never to return." emerged. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I was mad--insane." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer trifles." head. So long, then!" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a bell. Holmes whistled. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I say that I have solved it." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the so-precious time, but come!' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Very much so." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sound at heart." outside." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not vanished into the darkness. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man delirious. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not nice household for a young lady." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and time." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I went to the Alpha were town bred." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Pray do so." "And how did you find out?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by sooner or later she must fall a victim. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back seven miles from Eyford Station.' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Witness: Nothing definite. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may until night should bring an explanation. papers." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. events, Mr. Windibank!" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I think it very unlikely." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards crackling voice. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Project Gutenberg-tm works. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of his shoulders. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid presented which may be striking and bizarre without being quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Eyford." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. out." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place so far?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and capable of preserving a secret.' hour?' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to you understand?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass that he has suffered." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about congenial hunt. these bleak autumnal evenings." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed your Highness to the police-station?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, nonsense.' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "No good news?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I shall be delighted." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I have it here in my museum." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I nodded to show that I had heard. if only as a check to my own memory." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have 1.F. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "My stepfather's business papers." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. is a common subject for conversation. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Yes.' the stones. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no a monotonous occupation." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "It is his hat." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly begin with, and I had not got mine yet." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door 1.E.9. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when cigars in their mouths. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the